In a move that underscores the relentless churn of NFL roster decisions, the Indianapolis Colts have officially waived quarterback Brett Rypien, severing ties with the journeyman signal-caller just as the season barrels toward its climax. The announcement came on Monday, December 23, 2025, leaving Rypien’s brief stint in Indy in the rearview mirror and casting a shadow over his professional future. At 30 years old, the former Minnesota Vikings backup now finds himself adrift in the free-agent waters, with questions swirling about whether this could mark the end of his nomadic NFL career.
Rypien’s time with the Colts was short-lived and unremarkable, never evolving into the stable role he might have hoped for. Signed as depth amid a quarterback carousel plagued by injuries, he was thrust into a room featuring the unlikely resurgence of 44-year-old Philip Rivers, the recovering Anthony Richardson, and rookie Riley Leonard. The waiver serves as a stark reminder of how quickly depth charts can shift in the league’s high-stakes environment, especially as teams tighten rosters for the final push.
The Colts’ decision coincides with positive developments in their quarterback stable. Philip Rivers, the veteran gunslinger who unretired earlier this season, is set to make his second start of 2025 on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers. Rivers, who last played in the NFL five years ago, has shown flashes of his old form despite his lack of mobility. In his debut against the Seattle Seahawks on December 14, he managed an “okay” performance by league standards, keeping the game competitive even as the Colts fell short. Behind him, Riley Leonard provides healthy backup support, and there’s growing optimism around Anthony Richardson’s potential return.
Richardson’s activation to the practice window after a two-month absence due to an orbital fracture could be the catalyst for Rypien’s release. The young quarterback, who began the season as a key piece of Indy’s 8-2 start, has been sidelined since October. His impending comeback—potentially as soon as Week 17—eliminates the need for excess depth, making Rypien the odd man out. As HorseshoeHeroes.com’s Lee Vowell noted, Richardson’s second season hasn’t lived up to expectations, but guidance from veterans like Rivers could still shape his growth. For now, though, the Colts are content rolling with their current trio, evidenced by the corresponding roster move to activate defensive tackle DeForest Buckner from injured reserve.
This isn’t the first time Rypien has been caught in the crossfire of quarterback reshuffles. His 2025 calendar year alone reads like a travel itinerary: stints with the Vikings, Bengals, and now Colts. Back in April, Minnesota’s QB room was perilously thin, with Rypien initially positioned as a potential QB2 behind rookie J.J. McCarthy. Vikings fans briefly entertained the idea of him as a viable option, buoyed by his solid preseason showing in Chicago the previous year. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell quickly pivoted, cycling through Sam Howell and others before landing on Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer. Rypien’s reps in purple didn’t translate to a lasting spot, leading to his release and subsequent stops in Cincinnati and Indianapolis.
A nephew of Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, Brett entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2020. His career has been defined by perseverance rather than stardom—bouncing between practice squads and brief active-roster appearances. In limited action, he’s shown competence in preseason settings, like his extended reps against the New England Patriots on August 16, 2025, where he evaluated coverages and timing under the bright lights of U.S. Bank Stadium. Similarly, during a September 21 matchup with the Vikings while with the Bengals, he stood tall in the pocket, surveying downfield amid pressure.
Yet, these glimpses haven’t secured him a permanent home. With free agency looming in less than three months, Rypien’s future is now plunged into doubt. Could he circle back to the Colts’ practice squad? It’s a common NFL maneuver—waive a player for roster flexibility, only to re-sign them days later. NBC Sports’ Myles Simmons reported that the Colts elevated receiver Coleman Owen and guard Josh Sills from the practice squad for Monday’s game, hinting at ongoing fluidity. If not Indy, Rypien might latch on elsewhere as a QB3 for 2026, but opportunities for a 30-year-old with his resume are dwindling.
The Colts, meanwhile, are clinging to faint playoff hopes after a dramatic fall from grace. Starting 8-2 and favored as AFC Super Bowl contenders, they’ve stumbled against tougher opponents, including that Week 15 loss to Seattle where Rivers trudged off to the locker room at halftime. Daniel Jones, who opened the season as QB1, suffered a season-ending Achilles tear earlier this month, further complicating matters. Until Richardson is fully cleared, the “Rivers Show” continues— a surreal spectacle of a portly, immobile legend defying Father Time.
For Rypien, this brutal, sudden release is more than a transaction; it’s a pivot point. Will he resurface on a practice squad, or is this the curtain call? In a league where quarterback depth is both prized and disposable, his story is a testament to the fine line between relevance and obscurity. As the Colts say goodbye, the NFL world watches to see if Rypien can engineer one more comeback.