The Green Bay Packers are waiving Kurt Benkert, who was signed last season and spent the 2021 season primarily on the practice squad.
As notable Packers’ content creator Andy Herman points out, the move may have been to give Kurt Benkert a chance to have more opportunities to play elsewhere. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers under center for the next three years. Additionally, Jordan Love is expected to be Rodgers’ backup again.
Kurt Benkert Carries the G
There will always be players who come and go on any NFL team. With Green Bay being a small market and centered around the fans/community, this can be particularly difficult. Players come here and become part of a network of fans that is unlike any other in sports.
This was no more true than in the case of Kurt Benkert. After signing with the Packers, Benkert moved his young family to Green Bay and immersed himself in local culture. He even attended a Fourth of July barbeque at the home of Paul Bretl.
Shortly after signing with the Packers, Kurt Benkert was honored by the US Navy. The captain of the USS Green Bay sent him the ship’s flag. Last year, I wrote about how Benkert embodied what it meant to be a Green Bay Packer.
And, of course, who can forget Benkert’s famous social media battles:
- Florio attacked Benkert; Kurt fired back
- Benkert v Florio Part II
- Benkert goes after former Packers WR Greg Jennings
Conclusion
The fact of the matter is that Kurt Benkert was never going to be the starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers. He also probably was never going to even be the backup. He does deserve the opportunity to get more playing time, and to do that he needs to be on a different team.
Hopefully he ends up somewhere where he can get on the field. Benkert deserves it.
More must-reads: