The Bears’ quarterback hierarchy appeared set. At least, the team’s Nos. 1 and 2 spots did. One of the other options on Chicago’s roster entering cut day, Brett Rypien, will not be part of the team’s 53-man edition.
Rypien received word that he will be released, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. After four Broncos seasons, the former UDFA has become a journeyman. He has bounced from the Rams to the Seahawks to the Jets to the Bears in less than a year. Rypien is a vested veteran and will head straight to free agency.
Rypien, Caleb Williams and Austin Reed arrived as newcomers this offseason as the Bears revamped their QB room. As the team builds around the No. 1 overall pick, its Justin Fields backup — Tyson Bagent — remains in its plans. The former Division II standout is on track to remain Chicago’s backup.
Adding Rypien on a one-year, $1.13M deal, the Bears did not guarantee the former Broncos QB2 anything. Rypien, 28, would profile as a third-string option somewhere — especially now that the NFL’s attempt at changing the emergency third QB rule failed. Teams can no longer elevate a third-string quarterback unlimited times, which stands to factor into clubs’ decisions Tuesday. Reed remains on the Bears’ roster, though it would be interesting if the team’s QB room consisted of two rookies and a 2023 UDFA from Division II.
The Rams released Rypien after he struggled in a start against the Packers, leading to Carson Wentz‘s re-emergence. Rypien has made four career starts, two of those in relief of Russell Wilson in 2022. He is 2-2 as a starter, carrying a 58.3% completion rate and just a 5.7 yards-per-attempt number. The Seahawks added Rypien to their practice squad following his Rams release, and the Jets reunited him with Nathaniel Hackett by signing him to their active roster weeks later.
