The Indianapolis Colts moved quickly to address their quarterback situation, signing Brett Rypien after backup Anthony Richardson Sr. landed on injured reserve with an orbital fracture.
Practice Squad Addition After Richardson’s Setback
Just one day after Richardson’s unfortunate pregame injury during Sunday’s warmups sent him to IR, Indianapolis reached an agreement with quarterback Brett Rypien, according to a league source who spoke with The Athletic. The veteran signal-caller joins the team’s practice squad while coaches assess their options at the position.
Quarterback Room Reshuffles as Decisions Loom
Rypien steps into a quarterback group featuring starter Daniel Jones and rookie Riley Leonard, the sixth-round pick from this past draft. Coach Shane Steichen faces a choice between Rypien and Leonard for backup duties when the Colts travel to face the Los Angeles Chargers in their upcoming matchup.
Team Passes on Other Tryout Candidates
Tuesday’s workout session brought four other quarterbacks to Indianapolis for evaluation: Jeff Driskell (2016 sixth-rounder), Jaren Hall (2023 fifth-round selection), undrafted rookie Tanner Mordecai, and Kyle Trask from the 2021 second round. The Colts apparently weren’t sold on any of these options, steering instead toward Rypien’s experience.
Veteran Journeyman’s Winding Path Through the League
The 29-year-old Rypien went undrafted from Boise State back in 2019, spending his initial four NFL seasons in Denver. His career has since taken him through a tour of franchises – the Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, and most recently Cincinnati. The Bengals cut him loose just last week after trading for veteran Joe Flacco.
Offensive Staff Ready to Get New Addition Up to Speed
Speaking before Rypien’s signing became official, Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter addressed the challenge of integrating a midseason quarterback addition. “I’ve been in situations where you bring in a veteran who’s seen different systems and can pick things up fast,” Cooter noted. “With younger guys, the learning curve might be steeper depending on the individual player.”
Modest Track Record as NFL Starter
Rypien’s resume includes 11 NFL appearances with a 2-2 record in starting assignments, most recently taking snaps for the Rams in 2023. He’s never started more than two games in any single season, throwing four touchdown passes against nine picks while completing 58.3% of his attempts.
Family Ties to Indianapolis, Though Brief
While Rypien lacks direct connections to the current Colts organization, there’s a family link worth noting. His uncle Mark Rypien served as Peyton Manning’s backup during the 2001 campaign, getting into four games that season. It’s a small piece of Indianapolis history that adds some context to Brett’s arrival in the Circle City.
