The Minnesota Vikings are making another move at quarterback, claiming veteran Brett Rypien off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts. It’s a timely addition, with rookie J.J. McCarthy sidelined due to a hand injury and backup Max Brosmer set to start.
For Rypien, this is the latest stop in a well-traveled NFL journey that’s seen him bounce across the league since entering as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State in 2019. At 29 years old, he’s no stranger to the league’s waiver wire, practice squads, or the grind of fighting for a roster spot.
Rypien originally signed a three-year deal with the Denver Broncos but didn’t make the 53-man roster out of camp. Still, the Broncos saw enough in him to keep him around on the practice squad, and he eventually earned a promotion to the active roster. That back-and-forth between the practice squad and active roster became a theme in Denver - a sign of a quarterback who’s always been right on the edge of contributing, even if not consistently in the spotlight.
After Denver chose not to tender him as a restricted free agent in 2023, Rypien began a stretch of short-term stints. He signed with the Rams in May, was cut after the preseason, and then landed on their practice squad. From there, he had brief stays with the Seahawks and Jets, with New York signing him off Seattle’s practice squad midseason.
In 2024, he inked a one-year deal with the Bears but was part of their final roster cuts. The Vikings brought him in earlier this year, back in January, but released him during camp.
He caught on with the Bengals’ practice squad, earned a promotion to the active roster, and even appeared in a game this season before being cut in October. Most recently, he was with the Colts, first on the practice squad, then the active roster, before being waived in December.
Now, he’s back in Minnesota - a familiar face in a familiar situation. With McCarthy unavailable and Brosmer stepping into the starting role, Rypien gives the Vikings a seasoned presence in the quarterback room. He’s not coming in to take over the offense, but in a league where QB depth can make or break a season, having a veteran who’s seen just about every scenario from the sideline to the huddle is far from insignificant.
Rypien’s career has been defined by resilience. He’s not the guy who’s going to light up the stat sheet, but he’s dependable, knows how to prepare, and brings value in the film room and on the sideline. For a Vikings team navigating injuries at the most important position on the field, that experience could prove crucial - even if it’s just for a short stretch.
With the quarterback carousel spinning once again in Minnesota, Rypien steps in as a steadying presence behind Brosmer. He may not be the long-term answer, but in the NFL, sometimes being ready in the moment is what matters most.