Alex

McGough

The traveled veteran was released by the Packers Tuesday before clearing waivers and being brought back to the practice squad. McGough has spent time with the Seahawks, Jaguars and Texans in addition to an injury-shortened season with the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in 2022. McGough could eventually find himself on the game day roster considering the league’s updated rules on roster limits.

McGough was brought in on a reserve/futures contract in January but couldn’t usurp Geno Smith for the backup job in training camp. A veteran of the practice squad circuit, McGough should draw some interest from other teams as a practice squad arm. Sean Mannion remains on Seattle’s roster but Smith is still the massive favorite to back up Russell Wilson this year.

McGough allegedly got in a fight over a dispute regarding his girlfriend. The incident is currently under investigation by Tampa law enforcement. McGough spent last season as Russell Wilson’s backup. The 2018 seventh-rounder has never appeared in an NFL game.

McGough was initially promoted to Houston’s 53-man roster as insurance for Deshaun Watson last year but ultimately failed to play a regular season snap. Perhaps he’ll latch on elsewhere given the need for depth on practice squads entering the season.

Coach Bill O’Brien said the promotion was unrelated to the beating Deshaun Watson took in Monday’s loss to the Saints. NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports it was prompted by the Jaguars trying to sign McGough back after they let him go at final cuts. We’ll see how long McGough is allowed to take up a 53-man roster spot behind Watson and AJ McCarron. The answer is usually “not very” with No. 3 quarterbacks.

A seventh-round pick of the Seahawks last year, McGough went a pitiful 11-of-29 passing this preseason for 60 scoreless yards and an interception. Rookie Gardner Minshew is Nick Foles’ backup.

McGough started to generate a bit more buzz as the process concluded and heated up in the final month. He was a four-year starter at FIU , throwing 65 touchdowns compared to 37 interceptions and completed just over 60 percent of his passes. McGough added another 16 touchdowns on the ground so the mobility is there.

“He got chased a lot last year on film so we know that he can move around and make things happen,” Carroll said. “But he had really good arm strength and he threw the ball really accurately today for his first time out.” The No. 220 overall pick, McGough was a four-year starter at FIU. With just Austin Davis and Stephen Morris behind Russell Wilson on the depth chart, McGough could earn the backup job with a strong offseason.

Already singled out for praise by coach Pete Carroll, McGough is battling Austin Davis for No. 2 duties behind Russell Wilson. Regardless of who wins, it will be a trouble spot for the Seahawks.