Kurt Benkert forcing the Green Bay Packers to make tough roster decisions
The top two spots on the quarterback depth chart for the Green Bay Packers is set and stone. Aaron Rodgers is clearly the starter and Jordan Love is his primary backup. Behind them, Kurt Benkert is making things tough on the Packers’ front office as roster cuts loom.
Benkert’s status on the roster depends on if the Packers are willing to carry three quarterbacks
In Saturday’s preseason loss to the New York Jets, Benkert started at quarterback and had a solid performance. He completed 18 of his 25 passes for 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Jordan Love is currently battling through a minor right shoulder injury. Despite his performance, Benkert fully understands his status as the third quarterback on the depth chart. He understands that he is not going to be the top backup to Rodgers.
“I know my spot. I know my role, I know I’m the ‘3’ guy,” Benkert said via Jason Wilde of The Journal Times. “The No. 2 job is not on my mind. I know my role, I know my spot. And for me, it’s just bringing value whatever way I can. I may not have to touch the field this year. That’s awesome, and I’ll follow 12’s lead and all that. But if I have to play, I’ll be ready and I’ll show that I can do what I can do. But that’s way out of my hands. I’m just here to bring value to everybody else and have a good time in the room.”
Packers head coach Matt LaFleur admitted that Benkert’s status on the roster will come down to whether or not they have space to carry a third quarterback.
“I think Kurt has done a really nice job,” LaFleur said. “His performance is definitely going to make it tough on us to decide which way we want to go.
“I think it’s a question of whether we want to keep two or three. Certainly, Jordan I think has done a really nice job. You’re always competing. But certainly, I would say if we ever got into a situation, Jordan is definitely the No. 2.”
Benkert doesn’t shy away from adversity
In Saturday’s game against the Jets, Benkert converted a third down and led the Packers on a 19-play, 81-yard touchdown drive down the field. The possession lasted more than ten minutes.
“That was the longest drive of my life,” Benkert said. “I’ve never had that happen. It was wild. But the thing I’m most proud of is, that drive could have went to crap, and it didn’t. I think that’s kind of a testament to how I like to play. Just keep on going. I threw a pick, and it was jut, get out on the next drive and keep going. Don’t be gun-shy because something went wrong.”
Benkert knows that constructing an NFL roster simply comes down to numbers. With Love currently recovering from a shoulder injury, Benkert might get an opportunity to stick on the roster, at least to start the season.
“That’s a tough question,” Benkert said when asked if he thought he had played his way onto the roster. “I feel like I’ve done everything that I could. I feel like I’ve put myself in a pretty good position. But at the end of the day, I know it’s a numbers game. We’ll see what happens. But I’m excited with how I played. Obviously there’s still more room to grow.