‘Can you throw?’ Packers scramble to fill backup quarterback roles before Chiefs game
Pete Grathoff, The Kansas City Star
Shortly after the news of Packers star Aaron Rodgers being ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Chiefs, Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur met with the media Wednesday and was asked about the team’s plan at quarterback.
“It’s all hands on deck, man,” LaFleur said before jokingly asking a reporter: “Can you throw?”
The Packers roster lists only three quarterbacks: Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Love and Kurt Benkert.
Rodgers on Wednesday tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Sunday’s game against the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Benkert, who is Green Bay’s practice squad quarterback, is on the COVID-19 list, although he is vaccinated, Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel noted.
So, four days before they face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, the Packers have just one quarterback who is eligible to play Sunday: Love, and he’s never started an NFL game. LaFleur acknowledged Green Bay is trying to determine who will back up Love.
“That’s something that we’re definitely trying to find,” LaFleur said. ‘We have to bring somebody into the building to give us some depth there. “
The Packers website said for now Love will take snaps with both the first team and scout team in practice.
LaFleur, who joked he would loosen up his arm and join the scout team, didn’t seem to rule out using a position player at quarterback in a worst-case scenario.
“I think you’ve got to have an open mind to anything and try to be as creative as possible in case you get into a situation like that,” he said. “Going through and watching last season, shoot we saw a team (Denver) play a game with a wide receiver at quarterback so you’ve got to be prepared for everything.”
But help soon will arrive.
Former Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is expected to sign with the Packers and back up Love, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported.
LaFleur said he told his team Sunday’s game won’t be easy for the Packers.
“Nobody’s gonna feel sorry for us,” LaFleur said. “And we all have to prepare to the best of our ability to go down there and get a win. And that’s the mindset. They’re not going to postpone or cancel the game. We have a game to play. It’s the next-man-up mentality. And that’s how we’ve operated for everybody.
“I think our guys will rally around Jordan. We’ve got a lot of confidence in him. And what a great opportunity for him to showcase what he can do.”
Love will be making his first NFL start in one of the most intimidating settings in the league: Arrowhead Stadium.
“It’s not an easy place to play,” LaFleur said. “You’re talking about one of the loudest stadiums in the National Football League, or the loudest stadium in the National Football League. It’s a team that’s been to back-to-back Super Bowls. So it’s gonna be a great challenge for us.”
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
Ethan Miller
The cost to attend an NFL game is the most expensive among the major four sports leagues with an average cost of $157.07. The cheapest NFL team to watch live is the Cincinnati Bengals with an average cost of $105.69. Here are the five most expensive.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
Ethan Miller
The Las Vegas Raiders moved into Allegiant Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. Among NFL teams, the Raiders have the most expensive general admission ticket ($153.47), most expensive beer ($13) and most expensive hot dogs ($7.50).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Daniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
Daniel Shirey
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014. To attend a San Francisco 49ers game is the second-most expensive among NFL teams and third-most expensive among all four major sports leagues.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Tom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
Tom Pennington
The parking at AT&T Stadium is the most expensive of all the four major sports leagues. It costs more for parking at a Dallas Cowboys game ($75) than attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game ($70.66).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea
The Los Angeles Rams moved into SoFi Stadium prior to the 2020-21 season. The Rams sell the most expensive hot dogs among NFL teams with an average price of $7.50.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Dylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
Dylan Buell
The Green Bay Packers are the only franchise owned by stockholders. The average price for a Green Bay Packers fan to attend a game at Lambeau Field with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $192.93.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Alex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
Alex Goodlett
An average New York Knicks game at Madison Square Garden will cost fans $260.38, the most expensive of all of the four major sports leagues. Among NBA teams, the Knicks have the most expensive general admission tickets ($180.78), most expensive parking ($45) and most expensive hot dog ($8.50).
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ezra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
Ezra Shaw
The Golden State Warriors moved into Chase Center before the 2019-20 season and became the second-most expensive NBA game to attend with an average cost of $230.30. The Warriors sell the most expensive hot dogs in the NBA with an average cost of $8.50.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Sean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
Sean M. Haffey
It's no surprise that attending a Los Angeles Lakers game is expensive. The average cost for Lakers fans to attend a game at Staple Center with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $190.76.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Elsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
Elsa
The TD Garden has been the home of the Boston Celtics since 1995. The average price for a Boston Celtics fan to attend a game at TD Garden with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $167.16.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Bulls missed the playoffs with a 22-43 record during the 2019-20 season, the United Center was still the fifth-most expensive NBA stadium to attend a game with an average cost of $154.01.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Adam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
Adam Glanzman
While it's not as cheap as the average price to attend an MLB game, an NHL game is still reasonable compared to an NFL or NBA game. The average cost for a NHL game with two beers, a hot dog and parking is $114.47.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Bruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
Bruce Bennett
Even though an average New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden isn't as expensive as a New York Knicks game, it's still the most expensive game to attend in the NHL with an average cost of $182.43. The Rangers also sell the most expensive beer in the league, which will set a fan back $15.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Bruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
Bruce Bennett
The parking at TD Garden for a Boston Bruins game will cost an average of $29, the most expensive among NHL teams.Including a ticket, two beers, a hot dog and the parking, a Bruins game will cost an average of $162.36.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Claus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
Claus Andersen
The Toronto Maple Leafs are the most popular hockey team in Canada, and the ticket prices prove it. Scotiabank Arena offers the most expensive general admissions ticket in the NHL with an average ticket costing $128.69.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
Jonathan Daniel
Even though the Chicago Blackhawks finished last in the Central Division during the 2019-20 season, the United Center still sets a fan back $153.63 to attend an NHL game.
When a hockey stick breaks, everyone has to lend a helping hand
Ethan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
Ethan Miller
The newest addition to the NHL is the Las Vegas Golden Knights and T-Mobile Arena where the average price to attend a game is $153.36. The Golden Knights are home to the most expensive hot dog in the NHL, which will cost a fan $7.
‘Can you throw?’ Packers scramble to fill backup quarterback roles before Chiefs game
Rick Scuteri
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz.
Rick Scuteri
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz.
