Danny Etling has enjoyed every bit of his remarkable ride to Green Bay

“You understand the gig,” Etling said. “I would go into each stop and I’d have my checklist of things that I would prepare myself for – how am I going to handle cover zero? All these things that I know NFL defenses would throw at me.

“I’d have the things that I’d ask the coaches that would be a checklist and I’d mark the things that I felt comfortable with and just be ready to play if I needed to.”

Signed to a futures contract with Green Bay, Etling returned in April with an extreme sense of urgency. With Clements returning to the Packers, Etling took to heart every word the veteran QB coach said, especially as it related to his footwork.

For four years, Etling had been so focused on keeping his head above NFL waters that his individual growth had sort of taken a backseat. It wasn’t until this past spring the 6-foot-3, 222-pound quarterback had a chance to slow down and re-learn the nuances of his position.

“I think he kind of sees the game through the lens of almost a coach,” Head Coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s had a whole offseason with us, he’s had all of training camp and you’ve seen the growth on a daily basis. Although he’s had limited reps, I feel like he’s maximized those when given those opportunities.”

While incumbent third-string QB Kurt Benkert was released after the offseason program, Etling felt no greater sense of security. After all, he knew all too well how precarious things can get for backup QBs like him in August.

So, he’s simply refused to blink. In the preseason opener against San Francisco, Etling completed 6-of-8 passes for 116 yards and a touchdown. He only played one meaningful drive last Friday vs. New Orleans, but his 51-yard TD run was one of the game’s biggest highlights.

Rodgers certainly took notice. The MVP quarterback was doing an interview with the TV broadcast when Etling saw the safety crashing off the left edge, tucked the ball and ran it to the end zone.

“He’s a gym rat, and that’s what you gotta be when you’re a backup quarterback and fighting for a spot on the active roster,” said Rodgers of Etling.

“He just really puts the time in, and I’ve really enjoyed having him in the room. He’s thoughtful. He asks a lot of questions. Good questions, and he’s always asking the ‘why’ and the ‘why’ is so important to figure things out in this league.”

Etling reminds Rodgers of former Packers quarterback Scott Tolzien, whose work ethic and attention to detail propelled him to a seven-year NFL career after going undrafted in 2011.

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