Chargers news: Los Angeles signs QB Geno Smith to one-year deal

The Los Angeles Chargers have signed quarterback Geno Smith on a one-year deal and will serve as a backup to starter Philip Rivers.

In the first couple of weeks in the free agency period, veteran quarterback Geno Smith remained on the open market with little interest tossed his way. However, things began to pick up over the last few days with the Los Angeles Chargers putting together a visit with Smith.

The Chargers have a need to add more depth behind Pro Bowl quarterback Phillip Rivers for the 2018 season with Cardale Jones being the only other player on the roster at the position. And according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Los Angeles has been able to secure a one-year deal for Smith on Sunday night.

Former Jets’ and Giants’ QB Geno Smith reached agreement with the Los Angeles Chargers, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2018

Chargers gave QB Geno Smith a one-year deal, per source. Smith and Cardale Jones will back up Philip Rivers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 2, 2018

Smith just finished up his lone season with the New York Giants that saw him hold down the primary backup spot behind Eli Manning. He had his lone start late in the season after he was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Manning, which snapped the latter's streak at 210 straight games in the starting lineup.

The 27-year-old Smith put up respectable performance throwing for 212 yards on 21-of-34 completed passes with a touchdown in the 24-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders. He also made a brief appearance against the Los Angeles Rams, failing to complete his only two passes of the game.

Smith has continued to regress through his first five seasons in the league that saw him become relegated to backup duties in each of the last three campaigns. Smith has displayed the lack of ability to be a dependable option under center with a high rate of interceptions thrown with 36 picks in 35 career games.

That said, he will step into the situation with the Chargers in a battle for the backup job with Jones behind Rivers next season. The likely length of his deal is a short-term contract that keeps him place another NFL roster next season. For the time being, Smith will add much-needed depth to the quarterback position.