Brett Rypien, you’re up.
After starting Josh Johnson in their first two preseason games, the Denver Broncos will start Rypien in their preseason finale against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, coach Nathaniel Hackett confirmed Wednesday.
“I think ‘Ryp’ has earned an opportunity to be able to go the first half,” Hackett said. “I think he had a really good game last week. He’s improved, and again, we’re looking for consistency from that position.
“It’s not saying that Josh hasn’t done good because he has done a fine job. We just want to be sure that we get both those guys because they have been working so hard and pushing each other. Their competition is a great one.”
Johnson (36) has completed 61.5% of his passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions through two games, good for a 96.3 passer rating.
Playing in the second half of the two games that Johnson started, Rypien (26) has completed 68.2% of his passes for 304 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions, good for a 95.3 passer rating.
Neither QB has a turnover yet, but Rypien has arguably had more turnover-worthy plays, and Johnson is more experienced, which presumably makes Johnson the favorite to win the backup QB job behind Russell Wilson.
It’s an open competition, though, and Rypien will get a chance to prove on Saturday that he should be the team’s QB2 in 2022.
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