Packers sign former practice squad quarterback duo

The season might be over for the Green Bay Packers, but they are still making moves, as of Tuesday. Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst announced that the team signed a pair of quarterbacks in Danny Etling and Kurt Benkert. Both quarterbacks spent time on Green Bay’s practice squad this season. And Benkert was briefly on the active roster when starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers missed one game due to COVID protocol.

Etling is a seventh-round pick out of LSU from the 2018 NFL Draft made by the New England Patriots. He spent his rookie season as a member of the Patriots practice squad. After being waived by New England, he spent time on various teams practice squads. Etling has yet to attempt a pass in a regular-season NFL game.

Benkert began his collegiate career in 2014 at East Carolina, where he backed up Pirates quarterback Shane Carden. But after Carden moved on, Benkert was set to take over as ECU’s starter in 2015. Unfortunately for Benkert, he tore his ACL a week before the season started, ending his season. He then transferred to Virginia, where he played the next two seasons. In his collegiate career, Benkert threw for 5,817 yards, 46 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.

NFL announces crew for Super Bowl

Before fans find out which two teams will face off in Super Bowl 56, the NFL has announced the roster of referees who will make up the officiating crew on Feb. 13.

Leading the crew as the white hat is Ron Torbert. Torbert is in his eighth season as a referee. Though the crew is stacked with former Super Bowl regs, this will be Torbert’s first championship game assignment. He reffed the 49ers win over the Packers on Saturday and now has nine postseason games under his belt.

Also joining him are Bryan Neal (umpire), Derick Bowers (down judge), Carl Johnson (line judge), Rick Patterson (field judge), Keith Washington (side judge), Scott Halverson (back judge, and Roddy Ames (replay).

Torbert and his crew will officiate the Super Bowl between either the Bengals/Chiefs and 49ers/Rams.