Packers expected to sign Blake Bortles amid COVID-19 issues in quarterback room

On Tuesday, the Green Bay Packers saw third-string quarterback Kurt Benkert test positive for COVID-19. Then on Wednesday, starter Aaron Rodgers followed suit, testing positive himself. As a result of Rodgers’ status as an unvaccinated player, he will be out a minimum of ten days, ensuring that he will be out on Sunday for the Packers’ game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

These two players’ statuses mean that not only will Jordan Love be the starting quarterback for the Packers on Sunday, but that he is currently the only healthy quarterback on the team’s roster at present. Although there is still a chance for Benkert to test negative and return to back up Love in that game, the team needs some semblance of security at that position heading into the weekend.

As a result, the Packers are flying Blake Bortles back to Green Bay, and according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the team is expected to sign him upon his arrival. Bortles will sign onto the Packers’ practice squad and he will surely be promoted to the active roster for Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs if Benkert is not able to return in time for the game.

Bortles spent much of the offseason with the Packers, signing with the team around the start of OTAs when Rodgers elected not to appear. He worked behind Love in the quarterback rotation and was released almost immediately after Rodgers reported to Green Bay for training camp.