Denver Broncos: Players on the chopping block at each position

Quarterback: Brett Rypien

Unfortunately, Brett Rypien gets picked for this basically by default.

Barring something unforeseen, there’s just no way the Denver Broncos are going to be cutting either Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater absent a trade for Aaron Rodgers. The team has to figure out a way to win as many games as possible and right now, Lock is the upside guy and Bridgewater is the fail-safe.

Rypien was originally picked up by the Denver Broncos after the 2019 NFL Draft and was considered one of the team’s top undrafted pickups.

The fact that he’s still on the roster a couple of seasons later shows you exactly why.

Rypien may not have been “draftable” by the league’s standards, but he has shown that he’s got long-term backup potential.

The Broncos have really been pleased with the way Rypien has contributed to the QB room overall, it seems, and he took over backup duties last season from free agent signing Jeff Driskel.

In his lone start of the season, Rypien threw three touchdowns and three interceptions in a Broncos win over the Jets.

If difficult decisions need to be made in the 2021 offseason, however, the Broncos may be inclined to keep just two quarterbacks on the active roster and stash Rypien on the practice squad, if possible.

They will have to hope he clears waivers and who knows how well Rypien will play when given a shot in training camp? Who knows if he will really impress the Minnesota Vikings‘ coaching staff in joint practices?

There are plenty of scenarios that would lead to Rypien no longer being a Bronco if he hits waivers but if the team does end up cutting him, my guess is it will be with the design of bringing him back on the practice squad.