Quarterback Brett Rypien took second-team reps behind starter Matthew Stafford for the first eight weeks of the Rams’ season.
This meant working with top receiver Cooper Kupp and other starters like Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell on a limited basis.
But, with a possible starting spot versus the Green Bay Packers on the line, Rypien is practicing with the first-team offense this week.
“Nice to get some reps, finally, with those guys,” Rypien said after practice on Wednesday.
Rypien, 27, appears to be on pace to replace Stafford, who is recovering from a right thumb injury suffered in the Rams’ 43-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
Stafford did not practice on Wednesday, but coach Sean McVay said he would not be ruled out against the Packers.
“You give him up until right before the game,” McVay went on to say.
McVay’s staff may be playing games against Packers coach Matt LaFleur, a former Rams assistant and the brother of Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur.
Regardless, Rypien is almost ready to begin.
“That’s what you do all the time, but especially when a guy is dealing with an injury and he’s not practicing,” said Rypien. “It definitely heightens the level of awareness, and you’re getting ready to go.”
The Rams bolstered their quarterback group on Wednesday by signing Dresser Winn to the practice squad. Winn worked out with the Rams over the offseason and during training camp.
The attention, however, is unmistakably on Rypien, who took over for Stafford in the third quarter against the Cowboys and completed five of ten throws for 42 yards.
“He’s one of those guys that you can see he’s a pro’s pro,” said McVay. “He’s always preparing himself as if he understands that there’s one situation, or he’s one snap away, from having to go into the game.”
Rypien, the nephew of former NFL quarterback Mark Rypien, spent three seasons with the Denver Broncos before joining the Rams in free agency. He worked behind the scenes during training camp and the preseason.
Bennett was placed on the non-injury football list prior to the season opening for an unclear reason. Rypien was promoted to the backup position as a result.
Rypien, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 202 pounds, started three of the Broncos’ eight games. He threw four touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Rypien led the New York Jets to a comeback victory in 2020. With less than seven minutes remaining and the Broncos trailing 28-27, he guided them on field-goal and touchdown drives to win 37-28.
Rypien explained that returning to a starting job does not necessitate a change.
“Just try to take the same approach,” he went on to say. “And I think that guys feed off that.”
Rypien stated that he will rely on Stafford and Winn to prepare for the Packers.
“He’s been such a tremendous leader for me to learn from,” said Rypien of Stafford. “A guy that I think doesn’t get as much credit as he should for how good of a player he is, and how good of a leader he is, and how good of a guy he is.”
Nacua expressed confidence that Rypien would perform effectively if called upon.
“I trust him to sit back there and rip it,” said Nacua.
Rypien, according to offensive lineman Joe Noteboom, was in command of the huddle.
“We’ve got to be on our game even more just to help him out and feel comfortable in the pocket,” he said. “So, it’s just heightened sense of, ‘Let’s give him a chance to succeed.'”
Stafford, 35, possesses exceptional arm talent and experience from 14 seasons in the NFL. How will McVay’s play calling change if Rypien starts versus the Packers?
“You know that Matthew is a unique player that can do so many special things — it’s why he’s got the resume throughout the course of his career, it’s why he is who is,” McVay said in an interview. “And so, to say that you can operate exactly the same way, I think that would be a little silly, but we do have confidence in Brett to be able to operate our offense.”
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