Ex-Giant QB Geno Smith joining Los Angeles Chargers

Geno Smith will go from backing up Eli Manning to backing up the guy the New York Giants traded to get Manning way back in 2004 — Philip Rivers. Per Adam Schefter, Smith will sign a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Smith, of course, was caught in the middle of the storm last season when then-Giants coach Ben McAdoo decided to start him instead of Eli Manning, ending Manning’s consecutive start streak at 210 games.

Smith’s reign lasted only one game. McAdoo was fired after Smith went 21-of-34 for 212 yards and one touchdown in a 24-17 loss to the Oakland Raiders.

Smith had signed with the Giants hoping to resuscitate his career after four tumultuous seasons with the New York Jets. Instead, he found himself caught up in one of the many controversies that swirled around the Giants during a disastrous 3-13 season.

Rivers, incidentally, is now the current leader in consecutive regular season starts with 192.

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn was running backs coach/assistant head coach with the Jets during Smith’s first two seasons there.