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Chargers Sign Former Jets, Giants QB Geno Smith

Bolts add the former second-round pick on a one-year deal.

NFL: New York Giants at Oakland Raiders Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports

On Sunday afternoon, the Chargers announced that they have signed former Jets and Giants quarterback Geno Smith to a one-year deal. Smith, a 2013 second-round pick out of West Virginia, will look to battle Cardale Jones for the chance to replace longtime backup Kellen Clemens as QB2 behind Phillip Rivers in 2018.

In two games of action after the Giants chose to bench Eli Manning, Smith completed 21-of-36 passes for 212 yards, one score, and zero interceptions. In his four-year career with the Jets, he tossed 28 touchdowns to go along with 36 interceptions.

Smith initially replaced Mark Sanchez prior to the 2013 season after Sanchez went down with a shoulder injury. After retaining the job in 2014, things went downhill fast for Smith following a locker room incident where he received a broken jaw after being punched by former teammate IK Enemkpali.

The signing of Smith may come as a surprise to most, especially when there are still free agents out there that can fill larger and more immediate team needs. However, he is more than likely just a camp arm and will not see the field even if he ends up making the team.