Tag: kurt benkert

Ex-Falcons QB Kurt Benkert signs with XFL

Ex-Falcons QB Kurt Benkert is signing with the San Antonio Brahmas, an XFL team

Unless you’re a first-round draft pick, finding work as an NFL quarterback takes extreme perseverance. Even if you play well enough to earn a job, teams are always searching for the next great QB in the draft.

Former Falcons quarterback Kurt Benkert knows this all too well. After signing with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent in 2018, Benkert spent three years on the practice squad before being waived when the team hired head coach Arthur Smith.

Benkert, 27, landed with the Green Bay Packers in 2021 and then spent some time with the San Francisco 49ers in 2022. The former Virginia standout is now taking his talents to XFL.

On Thursday, Benkert announced that he was signing with the XFL’s San Antonio Brahmas.

Benkert joining the XFL might actually be a smart move. Another former Falcons quarterback, AJ McCarron, was also an NFL journeyman before landing with the St. Louis Battlehawks.

McCarron, who took a pay cut to join St. Louis, has thrived in the XFL thus far. Watch as he throws one of four touchdown passes in a game against the D.C. Defenders.

Former Falcons first-round pick Vic Beasley, along with NFL receivers Josh Gordon and Martavis Bryant are also giving it a go in the newest rendition of the XFL.

[lawrence-related id=111519,111348,111502,108220,111460]

Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert signs with Brahmas of XFL

Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert is headed to the XFL.

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert is headed to the XFL. According to his official Twitter account, Benkert signed with the San Antonio Brahmas on Thursday.

Brahmas quarterback Reid Sinnett is injured, creating the opening.

For the time being, Benkert is not a backup option for the Packers as the team transitions to Jordan Love at quarterback. In fact, Benkert believes “the ship has sailed” in terms of returning to Green Bay.

Benkert signed with the Packers in May of 2021 and spent the entire 2021 season in Green Bay, serving mostly as the No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad behind Love and Aaron Rodgers. He was released in June of 2022.

After his departure from Green Bay, Benkert spent two different stints on the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers. He was released in November.

Benkert turned down a chance to join the Houston Roughnecks last December.

Benkert is far from the first former Packer to join the XFL. In fact, he’s not even the first quarterback; Brett Hundley currently plays for the Vegas Vipers.

[lawrence-related id=91584,91580,91556]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxb1xg7g19wqdc player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert to sign with 49ers practice squad

The 49ers are signing QB Kurt Benkert, who spent the 2021 season with the Packers.

After a workout on Tuesday, former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert is headed to San Francisco to join the 49ers practice squad, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Benkert spent the 2021 season with the Packers. He was released on June 17 of this year.

The 49ers will be Benkert’s first team since leaving Green Bay. He previously worked out for the Houston Texans and Chicago Bears.

While with the Packers, Benkert played in just one game – kneeling twice for -1 yard in the final moments of a win over the Bears last season. He spent the rest of the year on the practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love.

The Packers replaced him with Danny Etling in 2022.

In San Francisco, Benkert will slot in as the third quarterback behind new starter Jimmy Garoppolo and backup Brock Purdy. Trey Lance broke his ankle in Week 2 and is expected to miss the rest of the season, meaning he’s headed for injured reserve.

Benkert’s experience in the Matt LaFleur offense should provide an easy transition into Kyle Shanahan’s scheme with the 49ers.

An undrafted free agent out of Virginia in 2018, Benkert spent three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before arriving in Green Bay.

The 49ers worked out five quarterbacks on Tuesday – including AJ McCarron, Kevin Hogan, Mike Glennon and Garrett Gilbert – but picked Benkert.

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

49ers to add QB Kurt Benkert to practice squad

The #49ers are adding a new QB to their practice squad.

The Trey Lance injury left the 49ers in need of a third quarterback. San Francisco intends to add veteran signal caller Kurt Benkert to their practice squad according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan typically has three quarterbacks in the building with either three on the active roster, or two on the roster with one on the practice squad. They’ll roll with the latter of those two options by bringing Benkert into the practice squad. Jimmy Garoppolo will start with rookie seventh-round pick Brock Purdy functioning as the backup. Benkert would be in line for a promotion to the active roster if one of Garoppolo or Purdy go down.

Benkert signed as an undrafted rookie with the Falcons out of Virginia in 2018. He spent three years in Atlanta before making his way to the Packers last year where he spent most of the season on the practice squad. He appeared in just one game to kneel out his two offensive snaps.

His familiarity with the Packers system should make for an easier transition for him if he is pushed into any kind of action, though the 49ers are hoping it doesn’t reach that point.

San Francisco chose Benkert out of a handful of QBs they worked out. They also had AJ McCarron, Kevin Hogan, Mike Glennon and Garrett Gilbert in for workouts.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbxacb60r3mr0ac player_id=none image=https://ninerswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

[listicle id=679405]

Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert works out for Chicago Bears

Kurt Benkert, the Packers’ No. 3 quarterback for over a year, worked out for the Chicago Bears, per Tom Grossi of Packast.

Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert worked out for the Chicago Bears, according to Tom Grossi of Packast.

The connection between player and team is an easy one: former Packers offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Luke Getsy is now in the same role with the Bears.

Benkert spent 13 months with the Packers from May 2021 to June of 2022. He spent the entire 2021 season as the No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad behind Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. As a COVID-19 replacement for Love in December, Benkert made his NFL debut by kneeling twice to finish off a Packers win over the Bears.

Benkert, an undrafted free agent out of Virginia, spent three years with the Atlanta Falcons before landing in Green Bay.

Chicago currently has Trevor Siemian as the primary backup behind Justin Fields on the 53-man roster, while Nathan Peterman is the No. 3 on the practice squad.

Since being released by the Packers, Benkert has worked out for the Bears, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans. As of Tuesday afternoon, he remains unsigned.

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

Titans worked out ex-Packers QB Kurt Benkert

The Titans explored another option for their backup QB spot on Friday.

The Tennessee Titans took a look at another backup quarterback option on Friday after working out former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert.

The news comes from NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, who noted that Benkert “threw well” for Tennessee.

Benkert was originally a 2018 undrafted free agent signing of the Atlanta Falcons. He’s appeared in just one game during his career, which came in victory formation in 2021 with Green Bay. Benkert was waived by the Packers in June.

The Titans’ interest in another backup quarterback may not be a good sign for Logan Woodside, who has been competing and losing against rookie quarterback Malik Willis for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.

This might also be a sign that the Titans don’t feel comfortable having Willis a Ryan Tannehill injury away from seeing the field. The rookie getting into a game before he’s ready could prove disastrous for his development.

On the much simpler side of things, perhaps the Titans are simply taking a look at Benkert for a potential practice squad spot.

Nevertheless, Woodside will have one more opportunity to right the ship when the Titans take on the Arizona Cardinals in the preseason finale on Saturday night in Nashville.

[lawrence-related id=95296,95287,95279]

[listicle id=95290]

QB Kurt Benkert explains release from Packers

Former Packers QB Kurt Benkert explained why he was released on Friday. He was surprised but also thankful for the timing of the decision.

Kurt Benkert said he was surprised about being released by the Green Bay Packers, but the veteran quarterback expressed respect for general manager Brian Gutekunst and the process behind the decision.

“They way he did it and went about it, mad respect for him, and for the window he cut me in, to give me an opportunity to go somewhere and compete for another job to make the 53, knowing there was no chance to make the 53 here…respect the (expletive) out of that,” Benkert said during a stream on Twitch on Sunday.

The Packers cut Benkert on Friday. While he said he “definitely didn’t expect it” and was “truly surprised,” he understands the process from the team side and is thankful for the timing.

“He could have kept me around for five weeks and then cut me as soon as I showed up for training camp, or kept me around for preseason, given me a quarter a game if that, and then cut me, Benkert said. “I’m just excited to see what’s next.”

Benkert said he is going back to Florida. He’ll go on waivers and should know by Monday afternoon if he’s been claimed by another team.

The Packers signed Benkert after a tryout last May.

Understanding life as a backup quarterback helped ease the pain of his sudden departure. He “knew the situation” in Green Bay being stuck behind Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love and having no real path to the 53-man roster.

“No room to grow, in a sense,” Benkert said. “This gives me a chance.”

The reality of the situation: Benkert, despite his experience in the offense, was likely to get cut by the Packers at the end of the preseason.

“I know at the end of the preseason, what it was going to look like. Thankful they did me a solid and didn’t waste any time,” Benkert said. “I knew at the end of the preseason I was going to get cut. There’s no room for me on that roster for an extra quarterback on the 53.”

Benkert said social media reaction against Gutekunst and the Packers was unwarranted and unnecessary. He said all the conversations with the team were “really good” as he exited.

The Packers still have Danny Etling as the third quarterback behind Rodgers and Love.

The next step for Benkert is landing with a new team and continuing the fight for a 53-man roster spot. But he very much enjoyed his one year with the Packers.

“I’m gonna miss Green Bay, not going to lie.”

[listicle id=81468]

Packers release backup QB Kurt Benkert

The Packers released backup quarterback Kurt Benkert on Friday.

The Green Bay Packers reduced the team’s quarterback room to three players by releasing backup Kurt Benkert on Friday.

Benkert, who signed with the Packers last May, spent the entire 2021 season on the team’s practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback behind Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love. He was activated to the roster as a backup to Love when Rodgers was out with COVID-19.

Benkert turns 27 in July. His release leaves the Packers with Rodgers, Love and Danny Etling as the three quarterbacks on the roster. The move comes at the conclusion of the team’s offseason workout program and opens up a roster spot on the 90-man roster.

Benkert, who became well-liked within the fan base, sent this tweet after the news:

[listicle id=81531]

Aaron Rodgers asked Matt LaFleur to let Kurt Benkert take kneel downs to end game vs. Bears

Aaron Rodgers helped QB Kurt Benkert get on the field for the first time as an active NFL player on Sunday.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert played two snaps in his first active NFL game on Sunday night, and Aaron Rodgers is at least partially responsible.

Coach Matt LaFleur said Rodgers pushed for Benkert to get the final kneeldown snaps to finish off the 45-30 win over the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field.

“Matter of fact, Aaron came up to me right before that and just wanted to make sure, because it was a special occasion, what has been? Four years in the league, first time dressing? He said, hey, let Kurt take the victory snaps. I said absolutely. It’s a well-deserved honor,” LaFleur said Monday.

Benkert kneeled twice for -2 yards after Chandon Sullivan’s interception late in the fourth quarter, representing the first NFL regular season action of his career. 

He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2018. After spending three years but never appearing in a game for the Atlanta Falcons, Benkert signed with the Packers in May and won a job on the practice squad as the No. 3 quarterback during training camp.

Sunday night’s opportunity led to this incredible post-game tweet from Benkert:

Benkert was active for the Packers as a replacement for backup Jordan Love, who was on the COVID-19 reserve list. Kneeling down to end games has become a rite of passage for Rodgers backups in recent years, with both Love and Tim Boyle handling the honors since LaFleur arrived.

In fact, Boyle kneeled 18 times over 11 games with the Packers during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Love kneeled three times to finish out a Week 2 win earlier this season.

Benkert is expected to revert back to the practice squad. Love will regain the job as the No. 2 quarterback once he returns from the COVID-19 reserve list.

[listicle id=72844]

Kurt Benkert’s long wait finally comes to end on Sunday night

Kurt Benkert, who entered the NFL in 2018, will be active as the Packers’ No. 2 QB for the first time in his NFL career on Sunday night.

Kurt Benkert’s big moment is finally arriving on Sunday night.

The backup quarterback will be active for the first time in his NFL career when the Green Bay Packers face the Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. An undrafted free agent of Virginia, Benkert has never suited up for a game despite being in the NFL since 2018.

The Packers elevated Benkert from the practice squad to the 53-man roster to serve as the primary backup to Aaron Rodgers while Jordan Love is on the COVID-19 reserve list.

Benkert, 26, spent his first three seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, mostly on the team’s practice squad. The Packers signed him in May, and he stuck around as the team’s No. 3 quarterback on the practice squad.

The Falcons elevated Benkert from the practice squad for a game last season, but he didn’t dress as the No. 3 quarterback behind Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub. On Sunday night, he’ll be in uniform as the No. 2 quarterback (and only backup) behind Rodgers.

The last time Benkert was active for a game that counted was his final collegiate game, the Military Bowl between Virginia and Navy. It was played on Dec. 28, 2017.

Benkert did play in all three preseason games for the Packers. He completed 33 of 48 passes for 300 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

With Rodgers hobbled by a toe injury and Love out, Benkert had an opportunity to handle a majority of the first-team reps at practice this week, especially on Wednesday and Thursday.

Without a team to start the summer, Benkert is now only one play away from being under center for the Packers against the Bears at Lambeau Field.

[listicle id=72704]