Who Should I Start? Brett Rypien or Tanner Mordecai

Sunday, August 24, 8:12 PM

The Minnesota Vikings released quarterback Brett Rypien on Sunday as part of a shakeup at the position. Along with moving on from Rypien, they traded Sam Howell to the Philadelphia Eagles and signed Carson Wentz. Their QB room now consists of new starter J.J. McCarthy, Wentz, and undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. Rypien spent most of last season on the Vikings' practice squad and didn't get into any games. The 29-year-old appeared in all three of the Vikings' preseason contests this month and combined to go 15-for-29 for 151 yards and an interception. That wasn't enough to convince the organization to retain him. Since going undrafted out of Boise State in 2019, Rypien has gotten into 10 games (all with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams) and completed 58.3% of passes with four touchdowns against nine interceptions.

Sunday, August 24, 4:37 AM

Quarterback Tanner Mordecai (leg) split time with Carter Bradley (leg) under center in the 49ers' 30-23 win over the Chargers on Saturday. Mordecai didn't get the start but turned in a superior line, going 10-for-13 for 103 yards and a touchdown in his time on the field. The 25-year-old looked solid until he came up limping on a failed QB sneak in the fourth quarter, leading to a turnover on downs on the next play when he struggled to simply complete the handoff to running back Ke'shawn Vaughn. The 49ers are committed to Brock Purdy (to the tune of a $265 million contract signed in May) and brought in Mac Jones to serve as his direct backup. Mordecai, who was waived and re-signed by the Niners twice during the preseason, will be lucky to survive the cuts necessary for the final 53-man roster to take shape.