Even though it was just 28 players, and all but a handful who got their first glimpse of Lambeau Field on Thursday before donning a Green Bay Packer jersey and helmet to participate in the Rookie Mini-Camp’s first practice today, watching football players doing football drills was a welcome sight.
The last time I saw Packer players in uniform, they trudged off the tundra, losers to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game. That touched off an eventful, and eventually a tumultuous off-season. Free agents lost and signed, a draft and an MVP quarterback in a huff.
Matt LaFleur watches the first practice of 2021.
Considering there wasn’t any on-field activity until training camp in July last year, Head Coach Matt LaFleur was thrilled to get his draft picks and undrafted free agents “on the grass” for the first time.
All nine draft picks were on hand along with a few players who were with the team in some capacity last year (practice squad, reserve lists) like punter Ryan Winslow, kicker J.J. Molson, running backs Mike Weber and Patrick Taylor and defensive lineman Delontae Scott.
As for those draft choices, all but first round pick Eric Stokes and third rounder Amari Rodgers have already agreed to terms on their first professional contracts. General Manager Brian Gutekunst announced Friday afternoon the remaining seven, Josh Myers, Royce Newman, T.J. Slaton, Shemar Jean-Charles, Cole Van Lanen, Isaiah McDuffie and Kylin Hill signed their deals on Thursday.
The two tryout quarterbacks, Chad Kelly and Kurt Benkert did plenty of throwing in the one hour practice on Clarke Hinkle Field. Most of the session focused on fundamental drill work. The introduction into the playbook takes place in meetings, for now, still conducted virtually.
Speaking of quarterbacks, Gutekunst formally announced the signing of seven year veteran Blake Bortles. The former third overall pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014 has agreed to a one year deal with the Packers. After spending his first five years in Jacksonville, working under offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, Bortles spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos over the past two seasons. LaFeur talked about bringing in the veteran backup who is familiar with both his system and his OC.
As for the incumbent MVP QB, LaFleur said there’s nothing new on the Aaron Rodgers front. “We still obviously feel the same way”, LaFleur said, “we want him back in the worst way. I know he knows that. We’ll continue to work at it each and every day.”
The rookies will get one more workout in on Saturday before a break in the team’s schedule until the voluntary organized team activities begin on May 24.
