The Seahawks' search for a backup quarterback isn't going to stop with the addition of Josh Portis earlier this week.

Seneca Wallace and Tyler Thigpen are two other players Seattle has expressed interest in and may pursue next week. Brady Quinn and Matt Leinart are two other considerations.

There's a prominent name not mentioned in that group, one who has been rumored to be a potential target of Seattle: Tim Tebow. He's not expected to be someone the team pursues as it looks to find a backup to starter Russell Wilson.

Dealing Matt Flynn to Oakland this week created an opening on Seattle's depth chart, and an opportunity for Seattle to find a long-term backup. The Seahawks' increasing use of the zone-read option in which the quarterback is a threat to run is a wrinkle that opened up possibilities for the type of backup Seattle would consider.

That's why the Seahawks are considering bringing Wallace back after trading him to Cleveland four years ago and taking a look at Thigpen, who was Buffalo's backup last year.

The use of the option running game is also a reason many thought Seattle might look to bring in Tebow, the former first-round pick who played for the Jets last year after being acquired from Denver. While not a strong passer, Tebow is an effective runner as a quarterback and led the Broncos to a playoff victory two seasons ago.

Tebow remains with the Jets and is set to make more than $2 million. While the Seahawks did look into acquiring him, he's not thought to be a consideration.

Instead, Seattle will be sifting through some of the remaining free agents that includes a pair of former first-round picks in Quinn and Leinart. Quinn was drafted by Cleveland, but was in Kansas City last year while Leinart was in Oakland. The Seahawks pursued Leinart coming out of the lockout in 2011, but he chose to remain Matt Schaub's backup in Houston.

In terms of skill sets, Wallace is the one who might most closely resemble Wilson. Now 32, Wallace is an athletic quarterback with a strong arm. Whoever Seattle signs would be coming in to compete with Portis to be Wilson's backup.

For the first time since Pete Carroll arrived as Seattle's coach, the Seahawks will stick with their starting quarterback from the previous season after going from Matt Hasselbeck to Tarvaris Jackson to Wilson. Now, the only uncertainty at that position is who will be his backup.

• Read more articles by DANNY O'NEIL

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