The Minnesota Vikings made an unexpected decision on Thursday morning by waiving Jaren Hall to bring in veteran quarterback Brett Rypien, according to ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.
Hall’s release is surprising given his notable development during the preseason. Drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round in 2023, Hall spent most of his rookie season as the third-string quarterback but had two starts. He showed promise in his debut, completing 5-of-6 passes for 78 yards before leaving the game with a concussion in a win against the Atlanta Falcons on November 5. His second start, however, was less successful, with Hall going 5-of-10 for 53 yards and an interception before being replaced at halftime in a game against the Green Bay Packers.
Hall’s chances were bolstered when J.J. McCarthy’s season-ending knee injury opened up a spot. Hall stepped in during the preseason, leading a game-winning drive against the Las Vegas Raiders 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 performances, the Vikings opted to move in a different direction, possibly influenced by a leg contusion Hall sustained during the preseason finale or other factors, leading them to sign Rypien.
Vikings waive Jaren Hall to sign veteran quarterback
Brett Rypien, nephew of Super Bowl champion Mark Rypien, joins the Vikings with four years of NFL experience, including a stint with the Los Angeles Rams last season where he made one start, completing 18-of-38 passes for 172 yards and an interception over two games. The 27-year-old has played in 10 career games with four starts, throwing for 950 yards, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The decision to swap Jaren Hall, a developmental player from BYU, for the seasoned Rypien suggests the Vikings are prioritizing experience for their third quarterback slot. With starter Sam Darnold and backup Nick Mullens already in place, the Vikings may be looking for a reliable, knowledgeable arm to provide depth, similar to their past approach with Sean Mannion. While Hall’s strong preseason performance might attract other teams, the Vikings’ move underscores their preference for veteran presence in the quarterback room.
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