The Seattle Seahawks have had one of the busier offseasons of NFL teams. They acquired star receiver Percy Harvin. They also just traded away quarterback Matt Flynn to the Oakland. Flynn was once believed to be the future of the Seahawks franchise, but the emerging of Russell Wilson saw Flynn as merely a backup for the team. Now that he is gone, the Seahawks have an open roster spot for someone to sit behind Wilson. The team is reportedly pursing Matt Leinart who was most recently with the Oakland Raiders.
Leinart was once thought to be full of NFL potential. The former Heisman trophy winner was drafted 10th overall by Arizona in the 2006 NFL Draft. After four less than great years with the Cardinals, he was released and eventually signed by the Houston Texans. After a year he was sent to Oakland. The Raiders passed over Leinart on Week 18 of last season for Terrelle Pryor. Now that the Raiders have Flynn, they no longer need Leinart. He has started exactly 18 games in the NFL, attempting 46 passes. In the six years he has been in the league, he has thrown for 4,065 yards and 15 touchdowns.
If the Seahawks do decide to bring in Leinart, it would be a reunion for the former USC star and his former USC coach Pete Carroll. Carroll and Leinart were together from 2003-2005 and no one is more familiar with the quarterback than Carroll. He could be playing a big part in the team's interest in Leinart considering most teams are him to be washed up at this point.
The Seahawks have also been looking Tyler Thigpen as the potential backup to Wilson. Thigpen is a seven-year veteran in the NFL after being selected in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins. He saw significant playing time in 2008 with the Chiefs when he started 11 games, throwing for 2,608 yards and 18 touchdowns. Since then, he has not seen a season where he has played in more than five games.
Thigpen would be a good read-option backup quarterback. He possesses similar skills to Wilson and would be able to step in without the offense having to adjust too much. He gives the Seahawks a few more options than Lienart does.
The list is short as far as quarterbacks that Seattle is interested in. While Thigpen might make more sense as far as quality, Leinart could have the upper hand due to his connection with Carroll. If there is one coach that can get Leinart playing well, it is Carroll.