Bears agree to terms with veteran signal-caller to add to the quarterback room in free agency
The Chicago Bears have made a move at the quarterback position, although it's not one that many were expecting. The Bears announced at the official start of the new league year that the team has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran quarterback Brett Rypien. Rypien, the four-year NFL veteran, will be joining […]
The Chicago Bears have made a move at the quarterback position, although it's not one that many were expecting.
The Bears announced at the official start of the new league year that the team has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran quarterback Brett Rypien.
Rypien, the four-year NFL veteran, will be joining the Bears' quarterback room that has had plenty of buzz throughout the offseason and will be joining in a backup role.
The Bears' front office has yet to make a decision on quarterback Justin Fields, who has been at the center of numerous trade conversations since the 2023 season ended. Armed with the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bears are wildly expected to move on from Fields in favor of the top quarterback prospect in the draft.
Chicago's quarterback room in 2023 consisted of Fields, undrafted rookie free agent Tyson Bagent, and veteran Nathan Peterman. Fields started 13 of the 17 games for the Bears and had a 5-8 record as the starter. After Fields went down for four weeks with a thumb injury, Bagent started in relief for the Bears and had a 2-2 record from Weeks 7-10 until Fields returned from his injury in Week 11.
The signing of Rypien could be telling for what the Bears plan to do at the quarterback position in the coming weeks. If the Bears elect to go with a rookie quarterback drafted with the top pick in the draft and trade Fields, the team will need a more experienced veteran in the locker room given Bagent's experience.
Rypien could fill that role in the locker room by bringing in his four years of experience to the team. The 27-year-old went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft and was signed by the Denver Broncos as a free agent. With the Broncos, Rypien played in eight games and had three starts over three seasons from 2020-22.
Last season, Rypien started in Week 9 against the Green Bay Packers for the Los Angeles Rams after Matthew Stafford was unable to play due to injury. Rypien completed 13 of his 28 pass attempts for 130 yards and one interception in the loss.
It's a surprising signing to see from the Bears' front office and perhaps signals the end of Peterman's tenure with the Bears after spending two seasons with the team.
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