**Vikings Add Unexpected Veteran Quarterback**
The Minnesota Vikings made a surprising move by adding a veteran quarterback to their roster. Initially, the Vikings kept three quarterbacks on their 53-man roster: Sam Darnold, Nick Mullens, and Jaren Hall. Hall, in his second year, performed well during preseason games against the Cleveland Browns and Philadelphia Eagles, completing 19 of 30 passes for 276 yards and scoring four touchdowns. Despite his strong performance, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert reports that the Vikings have decided to cut Hall and sign veteran quarterback Brett Rypien instead.
**Vikings Sign Brett Rypien**
Brett Rypien entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019, signing with the Denver Broncos. He spent the 2019 season on the Broncos’ practice squad before being promoted to the active roster in 2020. From 2020 to 2022, Rypien played in eight games for the Broncos, starting in three of them. During his time with Denver, he completed 80 of 130 passes for 778 yards, threw four touchdowns, and had eight interceptions.
After the Broncos moved on from him following the 2022 season, Rypien signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 2023. He appeared in two games for the Rams, starting one, and completed 18 of 38 passes for 172 yards with one interception. He was released by the Rams at the end of the 2023 season.
In the 2024 offseason, Rypien joined the Chicago Bears. He participated in every preseason game, completing 24 of 34 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns. He also had five rushing attempts for seven yards. His standout performance came against the Texans in the Hall of Fame game, where he went 11 of 15 for 166 passing yards and three touchdowns.
**Questionable Decision by the Vikings**
The decision to swap quarterbacks has raised some eyebrows, as Rypien has already demonstrated his capabilities as a starter, whereas Hall, with only two starts under his belt, appeared to show promise and growth during the preseason. Despite this, the Vikings seem to prefer the experience Rypien brings to the quarterback room. However, relying on a third-string quarterback during the season is rarely a good sign for a team’s outlook.
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