The Green Bay Packers moved on from starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers after 2022, but during the prior offseason, the team released a different quarterback, backup Kurt Benkert.
Benkert, who became a fan favorite for his light-hearted social media posts, says that a difficult relationship with head coach Matt LaFleur was a major factor in the team’s decision to cut him before the 2022 season.
Benkert discussed the situation on his Benkert and Blevins Bros video podcast on Twitch and later clarified his thoughts on X. An avid video game player and social media user, Benkert says that his off-field interests caused a problem for his relationship with LaFleur.
The video-game aficionado Benkert cultivated popularity during his brief tenure and has maintained an active presence both on Twitter and on Twitch. He indicated his off-field interests created a wedge in his relationship with LaFleur.
“So over a year of giving my point of view on how I see the game, offense, mixed in with the fact that I was doing a lot in the gaming / media space while being a player − it was clear that it wasn’t liked so much,” Benkert wrote on Tuesday. “So regardless of how well I felt I was playing − it didn’t really matter. At the end of the day I was a dispensable practice squad player. My perspective in conversation, added in with my projects off the field weren’t a fit for the head coach (even though it was appreciated by others).”
I’ve gotten a lot of questions about my opinion / experience with MLF and will be very transparent on my comments of us “butting heads”.
I’ll start by giving my honest opinions about the scheme. It’s outdated, and there is a better way to play offense right now. I’m not going to…
— Kurt Benkert (@KurtBenkert) October 10, 2023
He provided more context on his video podcast.
“He was just unloading on me every day, and I didn’t take it anymore, and that’s why I ended up getting cut,” Benkert said, referring to a time period around organized team activities in advance of the 2022 season. “Transparently, that’s why I ended up leaving the Packers. It was one of the least enjoyable work situations I’ve ever been a part of and I did not want to play there anymore. And it kind of left a really sour taste in my mouth, because I freaking loved Green Bay. I rode for it … Living in Green Bay, Wisconsin, I actually loved it there, I really enjoyed my time there.
“(Nathaniel) Hackett had just left, Luke Getsy had just left, those were my guys I really vibed with in the room. Me and Aaron (Rodgers) were really close that year and he was not there for OTAs, and I was just getting it (from LaFleur). Will this ever stop?”
The former Packers quarterback wanted to make it clear that it’s important to remember NFL players get cut for reasons beyond their performance.
“If you think players only get cut over performance or personal conduct issues, you may have forgotten that sometimes people just have different personalities that don’t fit with the ones in charge. I’m sure some of you have experienced this before and the NFL is no different.”
Benkert spent this past season playing for the San Antonio Brahmas of the XFL.
