It’s been discussed for some time and the discussion heated up over the last two days regarding veteran running back Cedric Benson signing with the Green Bay Packers. The Packers finally made it happen, announcing the signing of Benson to a contract late this afternoon.
The 5’11, 227-pound Benson is in his 8th year out of Texas. He spent the past four seasons (2008-11) with Cincinnati, where he led the Bengals in rushing each season. He eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark each of the last three seasons and ranks No. 5 in Bengals history with 4,176 career rushing yards. Benson has played in 91 games (66 starts) during his NFL career and has rushed for 5,769 yards and 31 TD’s on 1,529 carries (3.8 avg.).
Benson was selected in the first round (No. 4 overall) by Chicago in 2005 and rushed for 1,593 yards and 10 TD’s on 420 carries (3.8 avg.) in three seasons with the Bears.
Benson was a four-year starter at Texas (2001-04) and capped his career by winning the Doak Walker Award (nation’s top running back) as a senior when he posted 1,834 rushing yards and 19 TD’s. Benson will wear No. 32 with the Packers.
The Packers placed TE Eric Lair on injured reserve. The rookie from the University of Minnesota, signed with Green Bay as a non-drafted free agent on May 7. He sustained a knee injury during training camp.