Minnesota Vikings Initial Roster Tweaks

After getting the roster down to 53 players and putting together a 17-player practice squad, it took the Minnesota Vikings less than 24 hours to make initial tweaks to the roster. It started with a swap of quarterbacks.

In:

Brett Rypien

Out:

Jaren Hall

While the swap involved the third quarterback on the Vikings depth chart, it was a surprise. Any move involving a quarterback tends to grab attention. Jaren Hall was a fifth round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He even started two games as a rookie last season. The first ended with a concussion. The second didn’t go well as Hall was benched after a half of struggles. He was #4 on the call sheet this summer behind Sam Darnold, J.J. McCarthy, and Nick Mullens. Despite very limited practice opportunities, Hall played really well in the second and third preseason games. It felt like he was firmly in place as a developmental third quarterback. That’s why it was a surprise to see him released in favor of Brett Rypien. With a bit more thought, it feels like the Vikings decision-makers want no part of a repeat of the quarterback chaos they went through last season. Rypien doesn’t have a load of starting experience but he has enough to show that he can play some games if needed. He was with the Los Angeles Rams last season so he’s been in an offense similar to that of the Vikings. He was with the Denver Broncos with current Vikings coaches Curtis Modkins and Chris Kuper. There is a sense of familiarity between Rypien and the Vikings. 

In yesterday’s press conference, Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said that they hope to add Hall to the practice squad. So, they may not be losing their young, developmental quarterback after all. 

Practice Squad Tweaks

It wasn’t just the Vikings roster that was tweaked soon after it was set. The practice squad was also tweaked yesterday.

In:

Ricky Lee III, OT

Zavier Scott, RB

Out:

DeWayne McBride, RB

Jeshaun Jones, WR

I’m curious to see how Zavier Scott develops. He played receiver and running back at Maine from 2021-22. Running backs with the ability to effectively play receiver, as well as receivers with the ability to effectively play running back, intrigue me. That sort of versatility is unique. At 6’1” and 219 lbs, Scott has decent size. I can see why the Vikings are intrigued enough to give him a practice squad shot. 

If things go as planned, there will be another practice squad tweak today. Jaren Hall returning to the team that drafted him.