Brett Rypien, recently released by the Chicago Bears, has found a new opportunity in the NFC North. On August 29, the Minnesota Vikings added Rypien to their 53-man roster as a third-string quarterback, as per the team’s transaction report. In a corresponding move, the Vikings waived quarterback Jaren Hall, a 2023 fifth-round draft pick.
Rypien will now provide depth behind the Vikings’ starting quarterback, Sam Darnold. The team also has veteran Nick Mullens on the roster. Unfortunately, the Vikings’ top draft pick, J.J. McCarthy, who was selected 10th overall, will miss his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus sustained during the preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bears Opt for Austin Reed Over Brett Rypien
Rypien’s release on August 27, when NFL teams were required to trim their rosters, wasn’t unexpected. The Bears had long been projected to keep just two quarterbacks on their initial 53-man roster, which turned out to be true. Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent had already secured the top two spots on the depth chart, leaving Rypien as the odd man out.
What did raise some eyebrows was the Bears’ decision to re-sign Austin Reed to their practice squad as their No. 3 quarterback instead of Rypien. Rypien had shown good composure and a solid grasp of Shane Waldron’s offensive system throughout the 2024 preseason.
Reed, however, also made a strong impression during his limited preseason snaps. He completed 12 of 16 passes for 123 yards and threw a touchdown in the preseason finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. The key question for the Bears was whether they preferred a more seasoned player behind the rookie Williams and the second-year Bagent. Ultimately, they chose to continue developing Reed, giving him more time in the Bears’ quarterback room, while Rypien heads to Minnesota, where he could have an opportunity to climb the depth chart in a less-established quarterback situation.
Tyson Bagent Secures Backup Role
There was some skepticism surrounding Tyson Bagent’s status as the top backup quarterback heading into the offseason. With the Bears changing offensive coordinators from Luke Getsy to Shane Waldron and moving on from former starting quarterback Justin Fields in favor of Caleb Williams, some speculated that Chicago might seek a more experienced backup for their rookie starter.
This uncertainty led to speculation from sportswriters at outlets like ESPN and Bleacher Report, who suggested that the Bears might target a veteran quarterback like Ryan Tannehill as insurance behind Williams. However, the Bears’ decision not to pursue a seasoned starter indicated their strong belief in Bagent’s potential.
Despite the Bears signing Rypien and Reed, neither posed a serious challenge to Bagent, who had started four games in 2023 in relief of Fields. Bagent’s growth was evident during the preseason, where he completed 17 of 25 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns, earning a 119.9 quarterback rating. He also showcased his athleticism with a diving 5-yard rushing touchdown in the preseason finale against the Chiefs. More importantly, Bagent played with the confidence and decision-making skills of a seasoned veteran, solidifying his role as the top backup behind Williams.
Even if the Bears had other free-agent options, it’s clear that Bagent has proven himself as the ideal choice to back up Williams, a testament to his growth and dedication to mastering a new NFL system.
About the Author
Jordan J. Wilson is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, focusing on the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. He has previously covered all levels of sports—high school, college, and pro—for various publications, including The Indianapolis Star, The News-Gazette, Springfield State-Journal Register, and Peoria Journal Star.
Background on Rypien
Brett Rypien joined the Bears in March and spent training camp competing with Tyson Bagent and undrafted rookie Austin Reed for a backup spot behind No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams. Although Rypien completed 24 of 34 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns across four preseason games, the Bears ultimately chose to release him at the roster cutdown deadline, opting to retain Reed on their practice squad instead.
Leave a Reply