Sep 14, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) and quarterback Nick Mullens (12) in the tunnel against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Lately, the Vikings QBs have gobbled up a disproportionate amount of attention.
Looking away from what’s taking place inside of Minnesota’s confines mean seeing that there’s plenty of relevant news around the NFL more broadly. A couple of days ago, a pair of former Vikings passers got shown the door. Veterans Nick Mullens and Brett Rypien didn’t do enough to get onto the 53-man roster in their new homes. In one instance, the quarterback got kept on the practice squad while the other is being allowed to fully slip away.
2 Vikings QBs of an Old Era Get Cut
Begin with the news of Mr. Mullens, who has been working down in Jacksonville. Mike Garafolo of The NFL Network sent along word of the Jags opting to keep the veteran within their orbit, albeit down on the practice squad. Garafolo clarifies, “Nick Mullens remains in Jacksonville as a member of the #Jaguars’ practice squad.” The veteran will have three free call ups for games before needing to get signed to the roster for further game action. Jan 7, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens (12) gets ready to hand off the ball during second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports.
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In my mind, Mullens is essentially the perfect depth passer. He’s tough and plays fearless football. Nobody will mistake his arm talent for that of Patrick Mahomes or Josh Allen, but Mullens gives his guys a chance.
Hard to ask for much more out of a backup who got into the NFL as an undrafted talent. Being down in Jacksonville means working alongside QB1 Trevor Lawrence and former Vikings coach Grant Udinski, who is now the OC down there. Not a bad setup, all things considered. — READ MORE: The Vikings Added More than 2,000 to the OL —
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— READ MORE: Projecting the Vikings’ Starting Lineup After the 2026 Roster Cuts —
Meanwhile, things don’t look quite so promising for Rypien, somebody who doesn’t offer a ton of value on the field.
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His job is to be a coach in shoulder pads rather than somebody whom a coach wants to lean on for playing time. Think of him as being roughly equivalent to Sean Mannion. KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson shared the news about Mr. Rypien: “#Texans plan to release third quarterback Brett Rypien, per a league source.” Wilson then notes that Houston doesn’t appear likely to retain the vet for the practice squad: “#Texans intend to have practice squad quarterback. At this time, Brett Rypien looks unlikely.”
Nov 17, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (14), quarterback Nick Mullens (12), quarterback Brett Rypien (19) take the field during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images – Credit: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect
For a little while, the Vikings have articulated a desire to build up a super deep quarterback room.
In theory, that desire could mean swerving toward bringing one of these former Vikings QBs back, but that appears unlikely. Neither was a priority to retain back in the quarterback revolution of the 2025 offseason.
All of Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and Nick Mullens were allowed to get away in March of 2025. For a time, Rypien was retained, but he eventually got shown the door as Minnesota’s decision makers opted for a passer trio consisting of J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer.
In Week 1, the Minnesota Vikings will rally around Kyler Murray as the QB1. Who slots into that QB2 job, either McCarthy or Wentz, remains to be seen. Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com.
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Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
