GREEN BAY — The Green Bay Packers today announced they have signed QB Kurt Benkert.
Benkert is the fourth quarterback on the roster, behind recently signed veteran Blake Bortles, last year’s first-round pick Jordan Love and reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Benkert, is a 6-foot-3, 218-pound, second-year player out of the University of Virginia. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons on May 1, 2018. Benkert spent the 2018 and 2020 seasons on the Falcons’ practice squad while spending the 2019 season on injured reserve. He will wear No. 7 for the Packers.
It’s not unusual for the Packers to add free-agent quarterbacks ahead of training camp, and the team usually needs three to run all of its training camp drills.
But the signing of a fourth quarterback only solidifies concern over current starter Aaron Rodgers, who appears to be in a standoff with the team over a variety of issues.
That’s not to say the Packers are at all interested in parting ways with their longtime on-the-field leader.
Just last week, Head Coach Matt LaFleur all but pleaded with Rodgers to return during a news conference.
“We want him back in the worst way. I know he knows that and, you know, we’ll continue to work at it each and every day,” LaFleur said.
For his part, Rodgers has maintained complete public silence since the news of a rift first broke on day 1 of the NFL draft.
So, the team continues to work behind the scenes to resolve the current issues while at the same time planning for all scenarios.
That includes signing the following draft picks and free agents.
The Green Bay Packers have signed seven draft picks and all seven rookie free agents they previously agreed to terms with. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced the transactions Friday.
DRAFT SIGNINGS:
| Rd | Name | Pos | Ht | Wt | College | HS Hometown |
| 2 | Josh Myers | C/G | 6-5 | 310 | Ohio State | Miamisburg, Ohio |
| 4 | Royce Newman | T/G | 6-5 | 310 | Mississippi | Nashville, Ill. |
| 5a | T.J. Slaton | DL | 6-4 | 330 | Florida | Plantation, Fla. |
| 5b | Shemar Jean-Charles | CB | 5-10 | 184 | Appalachian State | Miramar, Fla. |
| 6a | Cole Van Lanen | T/G | 6-4 | 305 | Wisconsin | Green Bay, Wis. |
| 6b | Isaiah McDuffie | LB | 6-1 | 227 | Boston College | Buffalo, N.Y. |
| 7 | Kylin Hill | RB | 5-10 | 214 | Mississippi State | Columbus, Miss. |
.
.
