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Brett Rypien #15 of the New York Jets warms up before a game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
With J.J. McCarthy dealing with a hairline fracture in his right hand, the Minnesota Vikings are signing a former New York Jets quarterback to provide depth to their quarterback room.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday that Minnesota claimed veteran quarterback Brett Rypien off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts.
Reunion: The Vikings claimed QB Brett Rypien off waivers from Indianapolis. Some added depth with J.J. McCarthy (hand) out this week.
Rypien’s Jets tenure came towards the end of the 2023 season, when the team needed an experienced backup quarterback.
Now, with McCarthy injured and undrafted free agent rookie Max Brosmer in line to start, the Vikings are in dire need of some depth at the quarterback position.
Brett Rypien’s Start With the Broncos
After a successful career with Boise State, Rypien signed with the Denver Broncos following the 2019 NFL Draft and spent the first four seasons of his career with the franchise.
In Week 4 of the 2020 season, Rypien would get his first NFL start against the New York Jets.
In relief of an injured Drew Lock, he guided the Broncos to a 37-28 victory at MetLife Stadium, throwing for 242 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Rypien would, funnily enough, get another start against the Jets in Week 7 of 2022 while starter Russell Wilson was dealing with a hamstring injury.
This time, New York got the better of him in a 16-9 victory. Rypien would throw for 225 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception in a losing effort.
Jets Once Again Cross Paths With Brett Rypien
After his stint in Denver, the former Boise State star spent the 2023 season bouncing around from the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks before finally landing with the Jets.
With Aaron Rodgers on injured reserve from his torn Achilles, Zach Wilson suffering from a concussion, and Tim Boyle flaming out fast, general manager Joe Douglas turned to veterans Trevor Siemian and Rypien to finish the season as New York’s top two quarterbacks.
Siemian stayed healthy, and Rypien never played a snap for the Jets.
In 2024, Rypien spent training camp with the Chicago Bears before latching on with the Minnesota Vikings heading into the regular season.
Late in the season, he was waived to open a roster space for the recently released Daniel Jones, but was re-signed to the practice squad shortly after.
Rypien signed with the Cincinnati Bengals to start the 2025 season and was elevated from emergency third-string quarterback to No. 2 following Joe Burrow’s foot injury.
He was later released in early October when the team traded for veteran Joe Flacco.
The veteran signed with the Indianapolis Colts but was released this week, and now finds himself back with the Vikings.
Will Brett Rypien See the Field in Minnesota?
Undrafted free agent rookie quarterback Max Brosmer will get the second start of his career when the Minnesota Vikings face the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day.
Considering how his last start went in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks, it’s entirely possible we could see head coach Kevin O’Connell bench him in favor of the veteran Rypien.
In Seattle, Brosmer completed 63.3% of his passes for 126 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions, and the Vikings were shut out in a 26-0 defeat.
If the Minnesota product struggles early against an angry, post-Steelers loss Lions team, Rypien is the most experienced quarterback at the Vikings’ disposal.
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