Packers sign QB Kurt Benkert after tryout at rookie minicamp

The Packers have added a fourth QB to the roster after rookie minicamp.

The Green Bay Packers saw enough from Kurt Benkert during rookie minicamp to sign the quarterback to the team’s roster.

Benkert, 25, tweeted a photo of himself signing a contract with the Packers. He joined Chad Kelly as the two tryout quarterbacks at rookie minicamp in Green Bay on Friday and Saturday.

An undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2018, Benkert spent his first three NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, mostly on the team’s practice squad.

The Packers now have four quarterbacks on the roster, although Aaron Rodgers’ status with the team remains up in the air. The team signed veteran Blake Bortles earlier this week, providing some experience to team with 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love.

The next stage of the offseason workout program kicks off later this month.

Benkert has never played in a regular-season game.

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Minicamp provides first look at Packers rookies

A look at the Packers 2021 rookies in the green and gold for the first time during minicamp.

The Green Bay Packers started rookie minicamp on Friday. The entire nine-player draft class and several undrafted free agents were in attendance, providing a first look at the rookies in the Packers’ green and gold.

Here’s a quick rundown of most of the rookies at minicamp:

CB Eric Stokes

Cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.
Cornerback Eric Stokes (21) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

OL Josh Myers

WR Amari Rodgers

Wide receiver Amari Rodgers (8) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

OL Royce Newman

Offensive lineman Royce Newman (70) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

DL Tedarrell Slaton

CB Shemar Jean-Charles

Cornerbacks Eric Stokes (21) and Shemar Jean-Charles are shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

OL Cole Van Lanen

LB Isaiah McDuffie

Linebacker Isiah McDuffie (58) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

RB Kylin Hill

Running back Kylin Hill (32) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

DB Christian Uphoff

Safety Christian Uphoff (40) Is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

OL Jon Dietzen

Offensive lineman Jon Dietzen (61) is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

DL Jack Heflin

Defensive lineman Jack Heflin (90) Is shown during the first day of Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp Friday, May 14, 2021 in Green Bay, Wis.

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Packers rookie Amari Rodgers explains why he picked No. 8

No. 3 wasn’t available, so the Packers rookie receiver applied a little symbolism and took the No. 8.

There is a little bit of symbolism behind Amari Rodgers’ decision to wear the No. 8 with the Green Bay Packers.

His college number – No. Β 3 – wasn’t available, so the rookie receiver picked the next best thing through improvisation.

“Three was retired. Eight is just a three but you just close it in. Everything came full circle,” Rodgers said from rookie minicamp on Friday. “That’s really how I saw it. Everything coming full circle. All the work I put in came full circle. Now I’m here achieving my dreams. That’s what the eight symbolizes to me.”

The Packers made Rodgers a third-round pick in the 2021 draft. The rookie now has the chance to follow in the footsteps of Randall Cobb, the former Packers receiver who Rodgers has described as a “big brother” during his football journey.

Cobb, coincidentally, wore the No. 18 in Green Bay. The whole thing really is coming full circle.

Beginning this year, the NFL is allowing players to wear a wider range of numbers, including single digits for receivers. Rodgers wore No. 3 at Clemson, but the number is retired in honor of Hall of Fame halfback Tony Canadeo in Green Bay.

The simple solution was just filling in the rest of the number and taking the only available single-digit number left in Green Bay. Currently, Rodgers is the only skill position player on the Packers roster with a single-digit number.

The rookie – who led the ACC in catches last season – could end up being a big part of what the Packers do in 2021.

Rodgers said he’s ready to handle a bunch of positions for Matt LaFleur’s team, including a variety of receiver positions and returner. His goal during rookie minicamp is to start to learn the playbook so he can go “play fast.”

The NFL dream – regardless of the number he’s wearing – is coming true.

“To be doing it for the Packers is even more of a dream. To know, it’s such a prestigious program. You know that they win. I come from a winning program too. I’m just plugging right in,” Rodgers said.

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Packers sign trio of Day 3 draft picks to rookie deals

Fifth-round pick Tedarrell Slaton, sixth-round pick Cole Van Lanen and seventh-round pick Kylin Hill all signed on the dotted lines of their rookie contracts on Thursday.

The Green Bay Packers signed three of the team’s Day 3 draft picks ahead of rookie minicamp.

Fifth-round pick Tedarrell Slaton, sixth-round pick Cole Van Lanen and seventh-round pick Kylin Hill all signed on the dotted lines of their rookie contracts on Thursday.

Rookie minicamp begins in Green Bay on Friday.

Slaton, a defensive lineman, was the 173rd overall pick in the fifth round. Van Lanen, an offensive lineman, was the 214th overall pick in the sixth round. Hill, a running back, was the 256th overall pick in the seventh round.

All draft picks sign predetermined contracts. Slaton, Van Lanen and Hill will be under contract for four seasons through 2024.

Slaton posted his signing on Twitter:

Van Lanen posted his signing on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CO1GvPRB24F/

Rob Demovsky of ESPN reported Hill’s signing:

The Packers have six other draft picks to sign. Rookies can participate in minicamp without signing a contract.

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Draft class could help top-ranked Packers offense soar even higher in 2021

The Packers filled in the cracks on offense during the 2021 draft.

The Green Bay Packers were the NFL’s top-ranked offense in points scored (509) and DVOA last season. If quarterback Aaron Rodgers returns, there’s a chance they could be even better in 2021.

Retaining running back Aaron Jones, wide receiver Allen Lazard and tight end Robert Tonyan for at least one more season ensured that the Packers will be operating with a full arsenal of weapons this year. The offense should also benefit from the return of second-year tight end/H-back Josiah Deguara, who tore his left ACL and missed all but two games last year, and an expanded role from second-year running back A.J. Dillon.

The only notable free-agent losses this offseason were All-Pro center Corey Linsley, right guard Lane Taylor and backup running back Jamaal Williams. With Jones and Dillon on the roster, the Packers still have plenty of talent and sufficient depth at running back. They also drafted Mississippi State running back Kylin Hill in the seventh round of the draft this year.

To replace Linsley, the Packers drafted Ohio State center Josh Myers in the second round of this year’s draft. While there’s likely to be somewhat of a drop off in center play going from an All-Pro to a second-round rookie, the Packers undoubtedly accomplished two important things with the Myers pick: they added much-needed depth to the offensive line and gave themselves a good chance to mitigate the loss of Linsley. Drafting Ole Miss offensive tackle/guard Royce Newman and Wisconsin offensive tackle/guard Cole Van Lanen in the fourth and sixth rounds, respectively, should help fill the void left by Taylor’s departure.

The offseason acquisition poised to make the biggest immediate impact may be third-round receiver Amari Rodgers. The former Clemson standout and son of Ravens wide receiver coach Tee Martin can contribute in a variety of ways, strengthening strengths from last year while also shoring up weaknesses.

To take advantage of Rodgers’ dynamic run-after-catch ability, the Packers might feel inclined to run more bubble screens and swings out of the backfield. That could quicken the average time to throw and make life easier on the offensive line. Rodgers will also be an asset in the run game with his ability to sustain blocks on the perimeter and seal lanes for running backs. His kick and punt return ability could potentially be an improvement over what they’ve had the last few years as well.

Rodgers might also provide vertical receiving ability from the slot. At 5-9 with 30 3/8″ arms, he doesn’t project as a “ball winner” down the field. With a 4.52 “official” Clemson Pro Day 40 time, he’s not a burner, either. Neither of those factors stopped him from being an impact deep threat in college, however, so he may still be able to provide something as a downfield threat in the NFL.

Rodgers should be a terrific complementary piece for the Packers offense with his plus receiving skills, blocking ability and positional versatility. If Aaron Rodgers returns, there’s no limit to how good the offense can be in 2021.

Adrian Amos is PFF’s pick for most underrated Packers player

Amos is reliable, consistent and verifiably good at all the things NFL safeties need to do, making him an ideal pick for the Packers’ most underrated player.

One of the best safeties in football a year ago is Pro Football Focus’ pick for the most underrated player on the roster of the Green Bay Packers.

It would be hard to argue against safety Adrian Amos, who finished last season with the second-best overall grade among safeties at PFF, as the team’s most underrated player.

A lack of splash plays no longer registers as a valid excuse. Since joining the Packers in 2019, Amos has created four interceptions, 15 pass breakups, 3.0 sacks and eight tackles for losses. He added another interception during the 2020 playoffs.

According to PFF, Amos delivered 24 stops – or tackles constituting a failure for the offense – and produced the highest overall coverage grade among NFL safeties in 2020. He played over 1,000 snaps and gave up a passer rating of 71.7.

He’s one of only a handful of NFL safeties to produce at least 20 stops, allow an opposing passer rating under 85.0 and play at least 1,000 snaps during each of the last two seasons.

Since 2017, Amos has received two “elite” overall grades and three “elite” coverage grades from PFF. The lowest overall grade he’s ever received from PFF is 69.6 during his rookie season.

A reliable, consistent safety who can cover and create negative plays is worth its weight in gold in today’s NFL. The position is taxed throughout a game like few others. Safeties must be able to cover any position on the field, protect against more and more vertical passing games, and be a willing contributor against the run.

Last season, Amos played over 100 snaps in the box (387), in the slot (108) and free safety (590). He was on the field for almost 99 percent of the Packers’ defensive plays.

While he landed on PFF’s All-Pro team, Amos did not earn Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors during the 2020 season, highlighting how underrated he still is outside Green Bay.

The Packers defense hasn’t been consistently dominant as a group, but the unit isn’t lacking individual talent. Amos, who is maybe the most reliable player at his position in football, must be included among the best the Packers defense has to offer entering 2021.

NFL scheduler-makers loved the Packers with or without Aaron Rodgers

The Aaron Rodgers situation didn’t affect the NFL schedule-makers, who are still “all-in” on the Packers as a big national draw in 2021.

The NFL’s schedule-makers didn’t much care about Aaron Rodgers’ immediate future with the Green Bay Packers.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding Rodgers this offseason, Matt LaFleur’s team still has five primetime games (the max for one season) and six late afternoon games, putting the Packers directly into the national spotlight for more than half of the team’s games in 2021.

Charlotte Carey, the NFL’s director of broadcasting, explained why the league didn’t take into account Rodgers’ situation in Green Bay and were still “all-in” on the Packers when making the team’s schedule.

“So when an elite quarterback like Aaron Rodgers is in that position, it’s definitely tricky for the schedule team. But we really just stuck to our guns,” Carey said, via Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “The Packers have a fantastic schedule this year. They’re a great football team. We hope No. 12 is under center, but if he’s not, we’re still all in on the Packers. They’re a big, big brand in the NFL and have a huge national following, so we’re all in.”

Put another way, the Packers are still a big draw nationally regardless of the quarterback under center.

And really, there was no way to factor in Rodgers’ situation – given how unpredictable it still looks – this late in the process. The drama of it all may actually add to the appeal of the Packers around the country, especially if Rodgers is back but even if 2020 first-round pick Jordan Love becomes the assumed starter.

The Packers – winners of 26 regular-season games with Rodgers the last two seasons – will play all three home divisional games in primetime, plus a Week 3 meeting with the San Francisco 49ers on “Sunday Night Football” and a Week 8 meeting with the Arizona Cardinals on “Thursday Night Football.”

Many of the team’s best games – against top opponents from 2020 – are scheduled for late afternoon kickoffs, many of which will end up being national broadcasts.

MVP quarterbacks are a big draw. But so are historic teams with strong, wide-spread fanbases.

The Packers are giants in the Wisconsin sports world but also a strong national brand, with die-hard fans scattered across the country. While the Packers’ Super Bowl chances would take a dramatic hit if Rodgers isn’t back in 2021, the team will be entertaining – for different reasons, obviously – regardless of whether No. 12 is in Green Bay or not.

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Assessing Packers’ 2021 schedule by opponent quarterbacks

Breaking down the Packers’ schedule by looking at expected starting quarterbacks for every opponent.

One simple way to assess a team’s schedule – and where the toughest stretches exist – is to look at opponent quarterbacks. You don’t have to subscribe to the “Quarterback Wins” argument to find the value here. No position determines a team’s strength more than quarterback. And for the most part, quarterback situations are fairly easy to assess going into a season.

The schedule for the Green Bay Packers in 2021 provides a manageable early stretch of opposing quarterbacks but gets tough over the final two months or so of the season.

Here’s a breakdown of the likely starting quarterbacks the Packers will face in 2021, with DVOA rank from Football Outsiders and overall grade rank from Pro Football Focus from last season:

Week Opponent Likely QB DVOA PFF
1 Saints Winston/Hill N/A N/A
2 Lions Goff 22 20
3 49ers Garoppolo N/A 28
4 Steelers Roethlisberger 20 23
5 Bengals Burrow 23 18
6 Bears Dalton/Fields 30, N/A 22, N/A
7 Washington Fitzpatrick/Heinicke 16, N/A 19. N/A
8 Cardinals Murray 18 11
9 Chiefs Mahomes 2 4
10 Seahawks Wilson 13 6
11 Vikings Cousins 10 9
12 Rams Stafford 14 12
14 Bears Dalton/Fields 30, N/A 22, N/A
15 Ravens Jackson 21 14
16 Browns Mayfield 17 13
17 Vikings Cousins 10 9
18 Lions Goff 22 20

– The Packers will face only two quarterbacks that finished in the top 10 of DVOA in 2020: Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins.

– The Packers will face only three quarterbacks that finished in the top 10 of PFF grade in 2020: Mahomes, Cousins and Russell Wilson.

– The Packers don’t face a quarterback ranked in the top 15 of DVOA or PFF grade from last season until Kyler Murray in Week 8.

– The tough stretch of the schedule is clear: Weeks 8-12. Murray, Mahomes, Wilson, Cousins, Matthew Stafford.

– The Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill quarterback combo is intriguing but also mostly an unknown entering Week 1.

– We have no idea if Bears first-round pick Justin Fields will play or be effective as a rookie.

– The schedule might be forgiving early but it toughens up late. The Packers face eight quarterbacks ranked in the top 15 of PFF grade over the final 10 games.

– The schedule might set up well for first-year defensive coordinator Joe Barry. The new scheme might need time to come together. The Packers defense will get two months of average quarterbacks to get it figured out before the tough stretch hits.

– Nine quarterbacks finished in the top 10 of both DVOA and PFF grade in 2020: Aaron Rodgers, Mahomes, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr and Cousins. Of the nine, the Packers only play Mahomes and Cousins in 2021.

– This is a tough schedule overall for the Packers. They will play 10 games against 2020 playoff teams. But the opposing quarterback schedule is certainly manageable, especially early. If the Packers have Rodgers back, they should be in a strong position – based on nothing more than quarterback advantage – to win a lot of games once again.

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Assessing Packers’ 2021 schedule by opponent quarterbacks

Breaking down the Packers’ schedule by looking at expected starting quarterbacks for every opponent.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=none image=https://packerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

One simple way to assess a team’s schedule – and where the toughest stretches exist – is to look at opponent quarterbacks. You don’t have to subscribe to the “Quarterback Wins” argument to find the value here. No position determines a team’s strength more than quarterback. And for the most part, quarterback situations are fairly easy to assess going into a season.

The schedule for the Green Bay Packers in 2021 provides a manageable early stretch of opposing quarterbacks but gets tough over the final two months or so of the season.

Here’s a breakdown of the likely starting quarterbacks the Packers will face in 2021, with DVOA rank from Football Outsiders and overall grade rank from Pro Football Focus from last season:

Week Opponent Likely QB DVOA PFF
1 Saints Winston/Hill N/A N/A
2 Lions Goff 22 20
3 49ers Garoppolo N/A 28
4 Steelers Roethlisberger 20 23
5 Bengals Burrow 23 18
6 Bears Dalton/Fields 30, N/A 22, N/A
7 Washington Fitzpatrick/Heinicke 16, N/A 19. N/A
8 Cardinals Murray 18 11
9 Chiefs Mahomes 2 4
10 Seahawks Wilson 13 6
11 Vikings Cousins 10 9
12 Rams Stafford 14 12
14 Bears Dalton/Fields 30, N/A 22, N/A
15 Ravens Jackson 21 14
16 Browns Mayfield 17 13
17 Vikings Cousins 10 9
18 Lions Goff 22 20

– The Packers will face only two quarterbacks that finished in the top 10 of DVOA in 2020: Patrick Mahomes and Kirk Cousins.

– The Packers will face only three quarterbacks that finished in the top 10 of PFF grade in 2020: Mahomes, Cousins and Russell Wilson.

– The Packers don’t face a quarterback ranked in the top 15 of DVOA or PFF grade from last season until Kyler Murray in Week 8.

– The tough stretch of the schedule is clear: Weeks 8-12. Murray, Mahomes, Wilson, Cousins, Matthew Stafford.

– The Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill quarterback combo is intriguing but also mostly an unknown entering Week 1.

– We have no idea if Bears first-round pick Justin Fields will play or be effective as a rookie.

– The schedule might be forgiving early but it toughens up late. The Packers face eight quarterbacks ranked in the top 15 of PFF grade over the final 10 games.

– The schedule might set up well for first-year defensive coordinator Joe Barry. The new scheme might need time to come together. The Packers defense will get two months of average quarterbacks to get it figured out before the tough stretch hits.

– Nine quarterbacks finished in the top 10 of both DVOA and PFF grade in 2020: Aaron Rodgers, Mahomes, Josh Allen, Deshaun Watson, Tom Brady, Ryan Tannehill, Dak Prescott, Derek Carr and Cousins. Of the nine, the Packers only play Mahomes and Cousins in 2021.

– This is a tough schedule overall for the Packers. They will play 10 games against 2020 playoff teams. But the opposing quarterback schedule is certainly manageable, especially early. If the Packers have Rodgers back, they should be in a strong position – based on nothing more than quarterback advantage – to win a lot of games once again.

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Quick thoughts on Green Bay Packers’ 2021 schedule

A few thoughts, observations and takeaways from the Packers’ 2021 schedule.

The Green Bay Packers will begin the 2021 season on the road in New Orleans against the Saints and finish the year in Detroit against the Lions. In between, Matt LaFleur’s team will play five primetime games and host the Cleveland Browns on Christmas Day.

Here are some quick thoughts, observations and takeaways from the Packers’ schedule:

– The first two months will be challenging. The Packers play six of their first nine games away from home, including a five-game stretch featuring four road games. Last season, the Packers played five road games in the first nine weeks but had a Week 5 bye. This season, there’s no bye and one extra road game.

– The Packers will get a chance to play five of their final six games outdoors, including four at home. Games against teams like the Bears, Ravens, Browns and Vikings will provide a terrific opportunity to forge some toughness as a football team and prep for the playoffs.

– Playing the AFC champion Chiefs as the second half of a two-game road trip isn’t ideal, but the Packers will get the mini-bye beforehand thanks to playing the Cardinals on Thursday night the week before.

– Two short weeks before heading out west. The Packers play in San Francisco after a Monday night game and in Arizona on a Thursday night.

– The Week 13 bye creates a marathon start to the season. Twelve straight games. The Packers had a Week 5 bye last year. It’s two months later in 2021. Β But with 17 games and 18 weeks, maybe a late bye will be beneficial.

– The Packers will play an NFL-high 10 games against playoff teams. And consider this: Matt LaFleur’s team will play five of the other seven teams that qualified for the Divisional Round of the playoffs last year: Saints, Rams, Ravens, Browns, Chiefs.

– Between Week 9 and Week 15, a stretch of seven games, the Packers will play six games against 2020 playoff teams. The lone non-playoff team is the Vikings, and the game is in Minnesota.

– In Weeks 10-12, the Packers will play at home against the Seahawks and Rams – with both teams coming off the bye week – and on the road in Minnesota.

– The early quarterback stretch doesn’t look terrible. It could be this during the first seven games: Jameis Winston/Taysom Hill, Jared Goff, Jimmy Garoppolo, Ben Roethlisberger, Joe Burrow’s backup, Andy Dalton and Ryan Fitzpatrick/Taylor Heinicke.

– Kyler Murray, Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins and Matthew Stafford create a much tougher challenge in Weeks 8-12.

– The Packers will play seven of the last eight first overall draft picks in the NFL draft. Trevor Lawrence is the lone miss. Among the seven top picks are quarterbacks Jamies Winston, Jared Goff, Baker Mayfield, Kyler Murray and Joe Burrow. The Packers will also play 2009 top pick Matthew Stafford, a familiar foe.

– There’s only one noon kickoff scheduled at Lambeau Field. The NFL is expecting the Packers to be a big draw. Overall, this team has 11 total primetime and late-afternoon games, the same number as last year.

– The Packers have started the season on the road during seven of the last nine seasons, and they’ll finish the season in Detroit for the fourth time in six years. Overall, this will be the third straight season in which the Packers are starting and finishing the season on the road.

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