Broncos in the NFL: Former Boise State QB wins battle to back up Russell Wilson
Former Boise State quarterback Brett Rypien looks like the favorite to back up Denver Broncos starter Russell Wilson this season.
Rypien and 36-year-old quarterback Josh Johnson were competing for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart, but the Broncos released Johnson on Tuesday.
Denver could still add another quarterback before the season opener against the Seahawks, but Rypien started the Broncos’ final preseason game on Saturday and is in a good position to make the 53-man roster as Wilson’s primary backup. Seattle traded Wilson to Denver earlier this year.
Rypien earned the right to start the Broncos’ preseason finale after leading two second-half scoring drives against the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 20. He completed 22-of-26 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo.
The 26-year-old native of Spokane, Washington, led two more scoring drives in the first half against the Vikings. One ended in a field goal and the other was capped by an 11-yard touchdown run from Montrell Washington.
Rypien finished the game 12-of-21 for 137 yards and an interception. Johnson (11-14, 107 yards) started the second half of the Broncos’ 23-12 win.
Rypien signed with the Broncos as an undrafted free agent in 2019. He has bounced between the practice squad and active roster the past three years, but he made the first start of his career in 2020 and led Denver to a win over the New York Jets. He appeared in just one game last season.
He took over as Boise State’s starting quarterback three games into his freshman season in 2015 after Ryan Finley was injured. Rypien went on to hold the job for the rest of his career, and he finished his time in college ranked No. 2 at Boise State in career passing yards (13,581), passing touchdowns (90) and completions (1,036).
Rypien still owns several Mountain West records, including career passing yards and completions, and games with at least 300 passing yards (21).
NOTES:
▪ The Cleveland Browns cut former Boise State pass rusher Curtis Weaver on Monday. Weaver was drafted by Miami in 2020, but the Browns claimed him off the waiver wire later that year and he spent last season on the practice squad.
▪ Former Idaho State wide receiver Tanner Conner made the Dolphins’ 53-man roster as a tight end. Conner signed with Miami this year as an undrafted free agent.
▪ The Philadelphia Eagles cut former Boise State wide receiver John Hightower and former Idaho linebacker Christian Elliss on Tuesday.
▪ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers cut former Boise State offensive lineman John Molchon on Tuesday.
▪ The New York Giants cut former Boise State defensive tackle David Moa on Tuesday.
▪ Former Boise State cornerback Avery Williams made the Falcons’ 53-man roster. The former two-time Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year switched positions this summer.
This story was originally published August 30, 2022 at 1:24 PM.
