Path Clears for Ex-Vikings Passer to Save the Day
The Indianapolis Colts lost Daniel Jones for the season on Sunday, succumbing to a torn Achilles tendon that will affect Jones’ availability in 2026, too. Shane Steichen’s club will now turn to little-known passer Riley Leonard, and if he’s hurt or doesn’t have the special sauce, former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Rypien would be the next man up.
A former Vikings quarterback may get the chance to rescue Indianapolis, with the path suddenly clearing for him to step in and save the day.
Rypien was attached to Minnesota’s roster as recently as this summer. The spotlight could shine bright on him in no time.
Former Vikings QB Brett Rypien Inches Closer to Starting Lineup in IND
The Colts are down to nubbins.
Rypien Now QB2 behind Hobbled Riley Leonard
The Colts will pass the QB1 baton to Leonard after Jones’ Achilles tear — if he can handle it.
ESPN’s Stephen Holder wrote Monday, “Colts quarterback Riley Leonard, who replaced injured starter Daniel Jones after his season-ending Achilles tear on Sunday, is now dealing with an injury of his own. Coach Shane Steichen said Leonard, a sixth-round pick from Notre Dame, reported an unspecified knee issue to the team’s medical staff Monday morning.”
“The Colts are widely expected to make at least one quarterback transaction this week, if not more, depending on Leonard’s status. Leonard is the only healthy quarterback on the active roster. Indianapolis does have journeyman Brett Rypien on its practice squad, and a promotion to the active roster could be in line for him. Meanwhile, Steichen confirmed Jones’ right torn Achilles, saying he was scheduled for surgery later this week.”
The domino effect places Rypien closer than ever to the top job.
Daniel Jones Out for Season … and 2026?
For Jones, the setback goes beyond the immediate sting of his season ending. Achilles rehab doesn’t run on shortcuts — nobody outmaneuvers the calendar on that injury. That means 2026 is essentially wiped out before it even starts.
Jones tore it in Week 14, which pushes him into a lost year next fall and a realistic return in 2027. That would be his age-30 season, likely wearing a different uniform.
It’s a brutal pivot: from legitimate MVP chatter in October to a quarterback expected to vanish from the league landscape for all of next year.
Rypien’s Bio
Minnesota scooped up Brett Rypien last season after Chicago moved on from him, even bringing him back in the 2025 offseason to compete for QB depth. Once Kevin O’Connell finalized Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as the backups behind J.J. McCarthy, Rypien became surplus.
His NFL trail is long and winding:
- Denver Broncos (2019–2022)
- Los Angeles Rams (2023)
- Seattle Seahawks (2023)
- New York Jets (2023)
- Chicago Bears (2024)
- Minnesota Vikings (2024–2025)
- Cincinnati Bengals (2025)
- Indianapolis Colts (2025)
He has four career starts — 2-2 overall — with a 4-to-9 touchdown-to-interception split.
Cincinnati cut bait in October after pulling off a surprise trade for Joe Flacco from Cleveland, sending Rypien back into the league’s backup carousel.
A Team That Needs Saving
The Colts are down bad. Like really bad. They began the season with somewhat modest expectations, as most NFL brains didn’t expect Jones to amount to much. But out of the gate, Jones looked fantastic, mainly against inferior opponents and defenses, sprinting to 7-1 start and turning heads a Super Bowl hopeful.
But about a month ago, a switch was flipped: Indianapolis began playing good teams — and the faceplant ensued.
The Colts now have a 31.4% chance to reach the postseason per DVOA, which is just mind-boggling given their 7-1 mark after Week 8. In fact, the schedule is so difficult and the quarterback situation so dicey that it’s a safe bet the Colts won’t make the postseason at all. It’s not paranoia; it’s close to reality.
Leonard and Rypien could change that, but that’s probably unrealistic optimism from the most ardent Colts faithful.
Kyle McCord as the Elixir?
HoreshoeHeroes.com‘s Levi Dombro also mentioned Eagles practice squader Kyle McCord as a possible quarterback solution after Jones’ injury.
Dombro wrote Monday, “It may sound like a sad state of affairs, but their most viable option may be hiding on the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad.”
“Fellow sixth-round rookie Kyle McCord, who was selected just eight picks before Leonard, may be Indianapolis’ best bet if they can pry him from Philadelphia. McCord really struggled at points in the preseason, but he seemingly got better as the exhibition slate went along. He showed enough that Steichen may be interested, especially considering his affinity for quarterbacks who have at least a little bit of mobility.”
McCoy was a 6th-Round pick in last April’s draft by those very Eagles. Indianapolis could rather easily swipe him from Philadelphia’s practice squad.
“Obviously, the Colts have an incredible offensive line, the best running back in the league and a handful of great pass-catching weapons. That, combined with getting to play under Steichen, makes Indianapolis a great landing spot for a player in a bind,” Dombro continued.
“Hopefully, Leonard’s injury is relatively minor, and either he or Rypien can keep the offense afloat in the next few weeks and into the postseason if Richardson never returns. If not, McCord may be the Colts’ best option at this point, and he is just sitting there for the taking.”
If Rypien eventually gets a start, it will be the fifth of his career. The Colts are an early 11.5-point underdog this weekend for their date at the Seattle Seahawks.
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