Seahawks trade for a backup QB because they had to

Neither Austin Davis or Alex McGough are good backups for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson in 2018. Seattle had to make a move and they traded for Brett Hundley.

The Seahawks have traded for Russell Wilson’s backup in 2018. Brett Hundley, who saw a lot of snaps for the Green Bay Packers in 2017, is coming to Seattle for a 2019 sixth-round pick. Seattle needed an answer should Wilson be hurt. And neither Austin Davis or Alex McGough were that answer.

Don’t get me wrong here. I am not saying Hundley is a great player and should be Wilson’s backup. First of all, I hope the backup never has to play and Wilson stays forever healthy. Secondly, we all know that if Colin Kaepernick would accept being a backup in the NFL and Seattle were to sign him, he is the ideal backup for Wilson.

But Hundley is better in 2018 than McGough and better-than-forever for Davis. McGough is raw but maybe has talent. Seattle should try to see if the 2018 seventh-rounder will be available for the practice squad. There is no way McGough is ready to step in and lead Seattle to a competitive season should Wilson go down, though.

Davis was never a good fit in Seattle. He doesn’t throw or run well. The throwing part, as odd as it sounds for a quarterback, is fine if Davis cannot launch the ball 60 yards. But Seattle’s offensive scheme and offensive line requires a quarterback to be a bit mobile. Davis isn’t good at that either.

Hundley, at least, can scramble around a bit. And his arm is adequate. Plus, he was forced into play for the Packers in 2017 after Aaron Rodgers went out with injury and was not awful. He wasn’t great either, but not being awful is better than Seattle would probably get this season from Davis or McGough.