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Desperate Vikings Sign Failed Bears Quarterback Immediately After Release

The Vikings wasted no time picking up the Bears' scraps after they cut a quarterback at the roster deadline.

By Jason Schandl

Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brett Rypien (11) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Brett Rypien (11) throws a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
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There was obviously no doubt this offseason who the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback would be for 2024, but there was an interesting battle going on behind Caleb Williams. Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien competed through training camp and the preseason for the QB2 role.

Bagent ultimately won the job, and Brett Rypien was released as part of the Bears' 53-man roster cutdown. Interestingly, Rypien didn't even end up earning the QB3 job. Austin Reed has been signed to the practice squad, but Rypien cleared waivers and became a free agent.

After that, he wasted no time immediately signing on with one of the Bears' NFC North rivals.

Bears News: Brett Rypien Immediately Signs With Vikings After Being Cut

Reports emerged of the Bears releasing Rypien on Tuesday morning, just before the afternoon's deadline for teams to cut their roster down to 53 players. He cleared waivers on Wednesday, and despite Wednesday bringing a flurry of practice squad signings around the league, Rypien remained unemployed. The Vikings took advantage, waiving one of their own quarterbacks (Jaren Hall) to snatch up their former division rival.

Unfortunately for Bears fans, this seems like a smart signing by the Vikes. But on the plus side, it certainly doesn't fix their absolute disaster of a quarterback room.

With rookie J.J. McCarthy out for the season, their depth chart was Sam Darnold followed by Nick Mullens and Jaren Hall. Replacing Hall with Rypien is an upgrade, for sure, as Rypien is a very capable backup. But It doesn't deal with the fact that they're leaning on Darnold as the QB1.

FanDuel Sportsbook's NFL odds paint a clear picture of just how much of a disaster the Minnesota roster is for 2024. Their win total over/under is set at 7.5 wins with the under being a massive -168 favorite. The Bears, on the other hand, are -160 favorites to go over 8.5. The lions are alos a distant fourth in the odds to win the NFC North, at +850. That's compared to +130 for the Lions, +200 for the Packers and +340 for the Bears.

The Vikings even have the seventh-best odds to have the worst regular season record in the NFL this year.

Maybe things will be such a disaster that Rypien gets some starts anyway.

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