The Potential Vikings QB2 Curveball
The Minnesota Vikings have been linked to Aaron Rodgers by credible reporters; other just as credible journalists view that possibility as outlandish.
Regardless of that option, the Vikings need a wingman for J.J. McCarthy. Last year’s tenth overall pick, although promising, is a mystery man, having thrown zero career passes in addition to coming off a significant knee injury.
The Potential Vikings QB2 Curveball
Of course, McCarthy is fully expected to start at QB, but the risk is undeniable.
Therefore, the club needs some insurance. A veteran passer with experience is on the wishlist. Daniel Jones, potentially the first choice, signed with the Indianapolis Colts to compete with Anthony Richardson instead. Last year’s backup, Nick Mullens, followed his assistant QB coach, Grant Udinski, to Jacksonville.
Around the league, the options dwindle, and the list of prominent names quickly ends after Carson Wentz and Joe Flacco.
The waiting game has been ongoing, but what if Kwesi Adofo-Menash and Kevin O’Connell throw a curveball instead of signing one of the remaining options?
That could be to commit to 2024 QB3 Brett Rypien.
His resume doesn’t really indicate a real alternative to McCarthy, but if the decision-makers aren’t sold on what’s out there, it might be an actual possibility.
In his four seasons at Boise State, Rypien registered 13,581 passing yards and 90 touchdowns with only 29 interceptions, leading the program to three straight 10-3 seasons in his final three years.
Still, the NFL was not impressed. He went undrafted in 2019 and signed with the Denver Broncos, moving between the practice squad and the 53-man roster for four years and seeing game action in eight contests, including three starts.
In 2023, when Matthew Stafford had to sit out a game, the Rams started backup Rypien. The game was lost, and the passer was released after the final whistle. He then had stints with the Seahawks and the Jets. In March, he signed with the Bears, but Chicago released him ahead of the cutdown deadline.
In his six-year career, Rypien has played ten games, starting in four. He has thrown for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. While his numbers have been somewhat underwhelming and uninspiring, the NFL continues to offer him depth quarterback positions.
Last preseason, the Vikings surprisingly waived fifth-round sophomore Jaren Hall to open a roster spot for Rypien.
The Vikings are his sixth team in the league.
- Denver Broncos (2019–2022)
- Los Angeles Rams (2023)
- Seattle Seahawks (2023)
- New York Jets (2023)
- Chicago Bears (2024)
- Minnesota Vikings (2024-present)
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said about Rypien in November, “I think Brett Rypien has done a lot of really good things since he’s come in here, smart, true pro’s pro, and think I gave him my third or fourth team player of the week award this morning, so he’s had a positive impact.”
Coaches seem to love the man, especially those from the Sean McVay coaching tree.
Rypien as QB2 isn’t an exciting option, and it might not even be a likely one, but it can’t be entirely dismissed.
The veteran will turn 29 in July.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt