Ex-Bears quarterback lands with Vikings in 'surprise' move after release

It certainly has been a crazy week in the National Football League.

Teams had to cut down rosters to 53 players with just a week to go until the 2024 National Football League regular season kicks off. The Chicago Bears had to make some tough decisions and one that they made was cutting veteran quarterback Brett Rypien in favor of second-year quarterback Tyson Bagent.

Rypien wasn't available on the open market for too long as he reportedly signed with the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday in a "surprise" move, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert.

"A surprise: the Vikings are signing (quarterback) Brett Rypien and waiving Jaren Hall," Seifert said. "Another veteran behind Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens."

Rypien is entering his fifth season in the National Football League. He began his career with the Denver Broncos in 2020 and spent the first three seasons of his career in town. Rypien joined the Los Angeles Rams ahead of the 2023 season and then spent the summer with the Bears.

He competed with Bagent for the backup job behind phenom Caleb Williams but missed out on the job and was cut ahead of the Tuesday deadline to get rosters to 53 players.

Hopefully, he is able to impress with Minnesota and get an opportunity at some point. It's unclear exactly what his role will be with the Vikings, but the most likely outcome is he will be the team's No. 3 quarterback behind Darnold and Mullens.

More NFL: Bears land ex-Packers receiver after getting released, per insider