Kurt Benkert

Kurt Benkert (born July 17, 1995) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at East Carolina and Virginia. He originally signed with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL) as an undrafted free agent following the 2018 NFL Draft; he was also a member of the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco 49ers. After originally being assigned to the Houston Roughnecks, he announced he would not play for the league, but was traded to the San Antonio Brahmas midway through the season.

Early years
Benkert attended Cape Coral High School in Cape Coral, Florida, and transferred to Island Coast High School in Cape Coral prior to his senior year. As a senior, he passed for 2,261 yards with 20 touchdowns. He committed to East Carolina University to play college football.

College career
After redshirting his first year at East Carolina in 2013, Benkert appeared in three games in 2014, completing eight of 10 passes for 58 yards and an interception. He was named East Carolina's starting quarterback heading into 2015, however he suffered a torn ACL before the season. In May 2016, he transferred to the University of Virginia.

In his first year at Virginia, Benkert was named the starting quarterback. He completed 228 of 406 passes for 2,552 yards, 21 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In the third game of his senior season in 2017, Benkert broke the school record for passing yards in a game with 455.

Atlanta Falcons
Benkert signed with the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2018. He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He signed a reserve/future contract with the Falcons on December 31, 2018.

On August 6, 2019, Benkert was placed on injured reserve after suffering a toe injury in the preseason.

On September 5, 2020, Benkert was waived by the Falcons and was signed to the practice squad the next day. He was elevated to the active roster on November 21 for the team's week 11 game against the New Orleans Saints, and reverted to the practice squad after the game. He signed a reserve/future contract on January 4, 2021, but was waived on February 18, 2021.

Green Bay Packers
On May 17, 2021, Benkert signed with the Green Bay Packers. On August 31, 2021, Packers released Benkert as part of their final roster cuts. He was signed to the practice squad the next day. Benkert was elevated to the active roster on December 7, 2021, to replace Jordan Love, who had been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list the day before. He saw the field for the first time in his professional career on December 12, kneeling the ball twice in the closing seconds of a 45–30 win over the Chicago Bears.

On January 25, 2022, he signed a reserve/future contract with the Packers. On June 17, Benkert was released by the Packers.

San Francisco 49ers
On September 20, 2022, Benkert signed with the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. He was released on October 12. He re-signed to the team's practice squad on October 18, 2022. On November 15, 2022, Benkert was released from the team again.

San Antonio Brahmas
On December 12, 2022, Benkert was assigned to the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. In a public statement, Benkert stated that, after initially seeking to join the league, he had chosen not to sign a contract, stating that it "no longer feels like the right (opportunity) to pursue" and that the decision was "the fault of no one" with Benkert stating he would instead spend spring 2023 out of football with his family. The Roughnecks retained his rights in the league.

On March 23, 2023, the Roughnecks traded Benkert's player rights to the San Antonio Brahmas following an injury to Reid Sinnett.

Benkert's debut in the XFL came in relief of starter Jawon Pass. Benkert completed one of his six attempts for two yards and an interception in the team's 15–9 win over the Arlington Renegades. He earned his first start for the team's following game against the Vegas Vipers. He started the game off by throwing a one-yard touchdown pass to Fred Brown. Late in the first half Benkert was hit following a throw and suffered three broken ribs, but did not leave the game. He was eventually taken out late in the fourth in favor of Pass. Benkert was placed on the Reserve List on April 4, 2023.

Benkert announced his retirement on August 26, 2023.

Esports career
Benkert signed with Spacestation Gaming. He is alternate for the Spacestation Gaming Halo team.

Personal life
Benkert married Samantha Morreal on July 2, 2016. The two have a daughter together.

YouTube career
On April 1, 2017, Benkert started his YouTube channel. On April 8, 2021, he uploaded his first video Titled "Kurt Benkert 2017 College Highlights." As of April 25, 2024, he has over 200,000 subscribers and over 67,000,000 views. Benkert's content mostly focuses on playing or teaching the popular video game series Madden NFL.