RENTON, Wash. (AP) -The Seattle Seahawks, attempting to bolster their quarterback position, traded Thursday for the San Diego Chargers' Charlie Whitehurst, who has yet to throw a pass in the NFL.
Seattle swapped its second-round pick in next month's draft, allowing the Chargers to move up 20 spots to No. 40 overall, to take San Diego's 60th choice.
The Seahawks also gave San Diego a 2011 pick, believed to be a third-rounder. Whitehurst, who played at Clemson, was taken by the Chargers in the third round in the 2006 draft.
Whitehurst, 27, signed a two-year, $8 million contract with incentives. The Seahawks' current starter, three-time Pro Bowl passer Matt Hasselbeck, is 34 and entering the final year of his contract.
Seattle recently traded former backup quarterback Seneca Wallace to Cleveland.
``We looked at the films - he has played extensively in the preseason - the kinds of throws he's made, the defenses he played against, all kinds of situations,'' coach Pete Carroll said during Thursday's news conference to introduce Whitehurst. ``We thought we accumulated enough information.
``The fact that he is such a good athlete, that he runs so well, he has very good feet, good speed for the quarterback position, we think he enhances the style of play we want to put out there.''
Whitehurst, the Chargers' third-string quarterback, was a restricted free agent. He played in two games his rookie season but did not attempt a pass. He has been inactive for every game in each of the last three years.
``I haven't played four seasons in the NFL, but I've been behind a great quarterback in Philip Rivers,'' said Whitehurst, son of former NFL QB David Whitehurst. ``It's a similar situation to Matt here. You learn a ton from those guys.
``I think I can move a little bit. I think I can make the throws. I think I can lead the team and think we can win. I certainly have some things to work on. I don't have a ton of experience in game situations. I understand that. That's where I have to make up pretty soon and convince everybody this was the right thing to do. That's what I plan on doing.''
This is the first major decision for new general manager John Schneider, who was hired Jan. 19 to turn around a franchise that has had a 9-23 record over the past two seasons.
``When you see something like this available,'' Schneider said, ``you have to take your shot.''
He said the Seahawks ``would consider Charlie part of our draft class'' but didn't rule out drafting another quarterback this year. The Seahawks hold two first-round selections, the sixth and 14th.
Carroll, who replaced head coach Jim Mora in January, said ``for our situation, we think we're getting a guy ahead of a college guy coming out.
``He certainly has not been on the football field but he's in those meeting rooms, on the practice field, he's in on the strategy on game day. All those things add up,'' Carroll said. ``There's always risk involved when you make decisions like this. But our research and our background in making a trade of this nature, we felt he had the elements put together in a process that allows us to make a confident, solid decision. We're not looking over our shoulder on this deal.''
