Packers call up familiar face to serve as backup QB
An old friend is returning to Green Bay amid multiple COVID-19 positives in the Packers quarterback room. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Blake Bortles is returning to the Packers.
“Veteran QB Blake Bortles is flying to Green Bay with the expectation he will sign to the Packers’ practice squad and be eligible for the 53-man roster Sunday, per source,” tweeted Schefter. “Bortles was on the Packers’ roster this summer until Aaron Rodgers reported.”
Bortles was with the Packers this summer as Schefter mentions, when the Packers were unsure of Aaron Rodgers status. Now, with Rodgers absent due to a completely different reason, Bortles is on the first flight back to Green Bay.
Bortles cut his game of golf short to return to Green Bay, as it was reported that the quarterback was on the course when he got the call.
“Former Jaguars legend Blake Bortles was even through seven holes at Ponte Vedra’s Ocean Course this morning when he got the call to fly to Green Bay. He was staring at double bogey on No. 8 when he picked up,” tweeted The AP’s Mark Long. “Gotta love the Boat.”
While he was with Green Bay this summer, Bortles didn’t get any playing time in the preseason. The Packers instead opted to focus on younger options, like Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert.
Bortles hasn’t started a game since 2018 with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Moreover, the former No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft hasn’t completed a pass in the NFL since 2019 — a three-yard completion with the Los Angeles Rams.
With Rodgers and Benkert both testing positive for COVID-19, Packers coach Matt LaFleur announced Love as the team’s starter today. Evidently, Bortles will be backing-up Love when the Packers take on the Chiefs.
Jordan Love named Packers starting QB
The Packers officially named their starting quarterback for this Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Packers coach Matt LaFleur, it’ll be Jordan Love under-center for Green Bay.
“Matt LaFleur confirms Jordan Love will be starting on Sunday for the Packers,” tweeted ESPN’s Field Yates. “In terms of a back-up quarterback, LaFleur says it’s “all hands on deck” before asking a reporter: ‘Can you throw?’”
The news was announced today, along with the reveal that Rodgers is unvaccinated. Previously, the star quarterback led members of the media to believe he was vaccinated.
Earlier this season, reporters asked Rodgers if he was vaccinated and he said, “Yeah, I’ve been immunized.”
“There are guys on the team who haven’t been vaccinated, it’s a personal decision, I’m not going to judge those guys,” Rodgers said. “It’s an interesting issue I think we’re going to see played out the entire season.”
If Rodgers is unvaccinated, the Packers have some explaining to do — aside from figuring out their quarterback situation. Still, they’re rolling with Jordan Love and Blake Bortles against the Chiefs.