On Thursday morning, the Minnesota Vikings made an unexpected decision regarding their quarterback roster, waiving Jaren Hall to make room for veteran Brett Rypien, as reported by ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
Hall’s release is surprising given his notable progress during the preseason. Drafted in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, Hall spent much of his rookie season as the third-string quarterback but was called upon for two starts. In his first career start against the Atlanta Falcons on November 5, Hall completed 5-of-6 passes for 78 yards before exiting with a concussion. He also started against the Green Bay Packers on New Year’s Eve but struggled, finishing 5-of-10 with an interception before being benched at halftime.
The addition of J.J. McCarthy had put Hall’s roster spot in jeopardy, but McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury gave Hall an opportunity to secure a spot. Hall led a game-winning drive against the Las Vegas Raiders in the preseason opener and performed well in the second preseason game, completing 4-of-5 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns. His most impressive performance came in the preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles, where he threw 17-of-25 passes for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Despite these strong showings, the Vikings chose to go in a different direction, possibly influenced by a leg contusion Hall suffered during the preseason finale.
Rypien, the nephew of Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, brings four years of NFL experience, having spent last season with the Los Angeles Rams. He made one start and played in two games, completing 18-of-38 passes for 172 yards and one interception. Over his career, the 27-year-old has appeared in 10 games with four starts, passing for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The Vikings’ decision to bring in Rypien, who has more experience compared to Hall, suggests they are seeking a more seasoned backup behind starters Sam Darnold and Nick Mullens. While Hall could be added to the practice squad, his preseason performance may attract interest from other teams. The move indicates the Vikings’ preference for experience in their quarterback depth chart, aligning with the approach previously seen with backup quarterbacks like Sean Mannion.
