6 Bears on the Bubble Ahead of 2024 Training Camp
By Randy Gurzi
3. Brett Rypien, Quarterback
Brett Rypien is the nephew of former Super Bowl winner Mark Rypien and had a lot of promise heading to Boise State. He was seen as a calm and collected quarterback who threw an accurate ball.
He was also criticized for his hand size and arm strength. In the end, the doubts did him in as Rypien went undrafted in 2019. He wound up signing with the Denver Broncos, which was only fitting after playing for the Boise State Broncos.
Rypien spent three years in Denver, moving back and forth from the practice squad often. He started three games and was 2-1 but had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4-to-8.
In 2023, he was picked up by the Los Angeles Rams and was called upon to start when Matthew Stafford was injured. The Rams lost to the Green Bay Packers and Rypien was just 18-of-38 for 172 yards in his two appearances.
Chicago signed Rypien in 2024 to presumably be the backup to Caleb Williams. Perhaps they see him as a veteran mentor but it’s not as if Rypien has a ton of experience to lean on. That means his presence on the team will come down to talent.
Right now, it’s hard to say Rypien offers more than Tyson Bagent. An undrafted rookie in 2023, Bagent surprised everyone when he led Chicago to a win over the Las Vegas Raiders in his first start.
Bagent ended up starting four games and while he came back down to earth following his first start, he still flashed plenty of potential. Considering he played at Shepherd, it’s not surprising he’s an unfinished product. But Bagent played well enough to believe he can win the QB2 spot and if he does, Rypien might not make the roster.