The Minnesota Vikings are setting the stage for a potentially franchise-changing offseason when the team will likely commit to either starter Sam Darnold or injured quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed his entire rookie season in 2024 with a knee injury.
In the meantime, however, the Vikings have taken a step to solidify the backend of the position group.
Backup QB Nick Mullens is bound for free agency in March, just as Darnold will be if the team doesn't extend him before then. With those two players' uncertain contract situations providing the relevant context, Minnesota chose on Wednesday, Jan. 15, to ink Brett Rypien to a reserve/future contract.
Rypien, who started four games (2-2) and appeared in 10 contests for the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams between 2020-23, caught on with the NFC North Division rival Chicago Bears last summer.
The 28-year-old quarterback played well for Chicago in the preseason, though that franchise ultimately handed him his walking papers at the end of August. Shortly after, Rypien joined the Vikings.
He was with Minnesota for almost the entirety of the season, splitting time between the practice squad and the active roster as the third-string option. The Vikings released Rypien for a short time near the end of the campaign in order to elevate Daniel Jones to the active roster, but brought Rypien back to the practice squad just days later.
Jones' elevation to active status ahead of Week 18 may allow the Vikings to net a compensatory pick from the NFL, depending on if the former New York Giants starter leaves the team in free agency and what type of deal he signs elsewhere should that happen.
If Darnold and the Vikings part ways in whatever fashion for whatever reason this offseason, Rypien's position inside the top-three QBs on Minnesota's roster should be relatively set.
It is feasible that Minnesota could part ways with Darnold, Jones and Mullens by the time spring practices roll around. That outcome would put Rypien in the No. 2 spot behind McCarthy by default, unless the Vikings add another quarterback before then.
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