Who Should I Start? Brett Rypien or DJ Uiagalelei

Tuesday, September 16, 12:15 PM

The Cincinnati Bengals are signing quarterback Brett Rypien from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster on Tuesday, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. With starter Joe Burrow (toe) out around three months after having surgery on his injured toe, Rypien is now in line to serve as the backup to Jake Browning, starting in Week 3 against the Minnesota Vikings. For more QB depth, Cincinnati added signal-callers Mike White and Sean Clifford to their practice squad on Tuesday. The 29-year-old Rypien will be trying to hold off both White and Clifford in the coming weeks for the backup gig in Cincy. Rypien went undrafted out of Boise State before making his NFL debut in 2020 with the Denver Broncos. He played three years in Denver before joining the Los Angeles Rams as a backup in 2023. Rypien has appeared in only 10 games in four seasons and has made four starts in the NFL.

Sunday, August 24, 10:53 AM

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback DJ Uiagalelei completed 16 of 31 passes for 170 yards to go with two touchdowns and an interception Saturday against San Francisco. The rookie got the majority of snaps and played fairly well, also rushing for 13 yards on one attempt. The Chargers are clearly set at quarterback with Justin Herbert, but will have decisions to make with backup candidates Trey Lance, Taylor Heinicke, and Uiagalelei on cutdown day.