Quarterback Brett Rypien spent the 2024 offseason with the Chicago Bears before being released.
Rypien, who was serving as the third quarterback behind starter Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent, left Chicago to chase a QB2 position with the Minnesota Vikings, but some believe a reunion is possible.
“If the Bears are comfortable with Bagent as their QB2, they may turn to a veteran presence to work in the QB3 or QB4 role during the offseason program and in training camp,” Windy City Gridiron’s Bill Zimmerman wrote on March 14, adding.
“If the Bears do that, they may be looking for someone who is familiar with either the Bears or Ben Johnson.”
Brett Rypien performed a great job in Chicago last year as an experienced presence alongside youngster Caleb Williams. Rypien was released by the Bears so that he could join the Vikings as their QB2, a position he would not have had in Chicago if Bagent had been retained.
A Quick Refresher on Former Bears QB Brett Rypien’s Career
Rypien had a distinguished collegiate career at Boise State University. He finished his career as the Mountain West Conference’s all-time leader in passing yards (13,581), completions (1,036), and 300-yard passing games (21). Furthermore, he had 90 touchdown passes and 29 interceptions.
Rypien joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and has since played for the Bears, Vikings, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, and New York Jets. Over his career, he has appeared in ten games, four of which he has started, and has a 2-2 record.
Rypien, 28, has a passer rating of 59.9 after completing 98 of 168 passes (58.3% completion rate) for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions during his professional career.
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Williams, 23, and Bagent, 24, are young and skilled, but there’s also value in experience.
A seasoned backup or QB3 can act as a mentor, offering crucial advice to inexperienced quarterbacks navigating the difficulties of the NFL. Whether it’s learning how to read defenses, improving decision-making, or dealing with the stress of leading an NFL team, having someone around to bounce ideas off of is beneficial.
The New England Patriots just hired veteran Joshua Dobbs to help their young starter, Drake Maye. Dobbs isn’t going to terrify any defenders, but he might be able to teach Maye how to do it.
Will the Bears keep Tyson Bagent as QB2?
That will be an interesting plotline to follow in Chicago in 2025.
In his first season, Bagent started four games in place of an ailing Justin Fields. He went 2-2 during those starts, completing 65.7% of his throws for 859 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions. His calmness, confidence, and game management abilities have established him as a dependable backup.
However, with the Bears betting in Williams as their franchise quarterback, Bagent’s chances of becoming a starter in Chicago are highly restricted. By selling him, the Bears might take advantage of his present worth, potentially obtaining draft picks and/or assets to enhance other areas of the roster.
A trade could also be appealing to Bagent because it would provide him with a major opportunity to contend for a starting quarterback position elsewhere. He has openly acknowledged a desire to advance beyond his current position, saying he had “ridiculous, unbelievable aspirations that go far deeper than what I’ve been able to do so far.”
We’ll see what happens, but don’t be surprised if the Bears sign another experienced quarterback in the coming weeks.
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