Seattle Seahawks Smart To Bring Back Tarvaris Jackson

Jan. 1, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback (7) Tarvaris Jackson throws a pass in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As I wrote yesterday , it’s official that Tarvaris Jackson is once again a Seattle Seahawk. While there is bound to be some resistance, I support the move.

Which is weird because normally I’d hate it. The words “veteran backup” usually makes my skin crawl. Backup jobs should be reserved for young players with potential. Paying an old guy extra (vets cost more) to sit on the sidelines when you know they’re never going to be more than they are, just doesn’t make much sense to me.

So what’s the difference here? There’s simply no young player on the roster that seems to have enough potential to warrant my usual outrage.

Brady Quinn isn’t young, and he certainly doesn’t have any untapped potential. That ship sailed a long time ago.

Jerrod Johnson is young, but the extent of his potential is both unknown and highly questionable. He went undrafted, and both the Eagles and Steelers (two teams that could have used a talented young QB project) have had him in camp and then cut him.

The Seahawks will get a very good look at Johnson in training camp, but if they come to the same conclusion that his previous teams did, then there’s no reason to waste a roster spot on him just because he’s younger than the other two QBs. If the potential isn’t there, then age doesn’t matter.

So with no young project QB on the roster, and seemingly none available to acquire at this point, why not sign Jackson? He’s clearly an upgrade over Quinn in almost every way. He knows the offense. He knows the receivers, or at least most of them. He’s also well respected by both the coaches and the other players, and is a known hard worker both on and off the field.

So what’s the downside here? If there is one, I just don’t see it. He’s not an ideal QB, sure, but he’s better than the other options available right now. It’s not like he’s coming in to play and lead this team. He’s hear to backup Wilson and run the scout team in practice. He can do that. And it’s only a one year deal.

If the unthinkable happens and Wilson does get hurt, Jackson is clearly (at least in my opinion) the best of the three options to come in and try and stop the ship from sinking while Wilson heals. I don’t believe Quinn or Johnson is capable of doing so.

Ultimately though, this needs to be a one year thing. Jackson is fine as a stop-gap, but the team needs to draft a young project next year to develop behind Wilson.