ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos certainly did their homework on Brett Rypien.

“We watched every snap he played at Boise State, all four years,” Broncos quarterbacks coach T.C. McCartney said. “That was a lot of snaps.”

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis in February, McCartney and offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello wanted to meet the guy they had watched throw 1,619 times for 13,581 yards.

They came away impressed and had him on their wishlist for April’s draft. But the Broncos didn’t draft Rypien, instead waiting through every one of the 254 picks before picking him up as an undrafted free agent.

“I thought he was going to get drafted,” McCartney said. “We’d targeted him early, so we were pumped we were able to get him.”

Rypien was given one of the largest contracts for an undrafted player following the draft, a deal reported by The Athletic to be worth $146,000, including a $10,000 bonus. Now, he is one of four quarterbacks on the roster, fighting for consideration to make the 53-man roster behind Joe Flacco and fellow rookie Drew Lock.

“He’s made the best of his opportunities, and he doesn’t get a ton, but he’s built for it,” McCartney said. “We can’t have a weak link at that position, otherwise any bad play is a waste for everyone. You have to make throws at an NFL level, and we were right, Brett can do it.”

Rypien got a series Sunday with the No. 2 offense against the No. 1 defense and made some nice throws after being sacked by Bradley Chubb and Von Miller on his first snap.

“A lot of teams only have three quarterbacks in camp. We have four,” Broncos coach Vic Fangio said after the practice. “We are getting a fair amount of reps out there as it seems. Some days he’s going to get more than others. That’s just the way it goes, but I like Brett.”

Rypien spoke with The Athletic after Thursday’s practice about his first week of training camp, Boise State’s quarterback battle and more.

Have you had your “Welcome to the NFL” moment?

I threw a pick the other day off a tipped pass. It’s a narrow margin in college, but even smaller in the NFL, it has to be that much more crisp. If it gets tipped here, someone’s probably going to get it. We have two of the best pass rushers in the world, so it feels pretty real when they’re in your face.

From a four-year starter to an undrafted rookie, that has to be a big adjustment.

It’s definitely a lot different, a lot more standing around. My last two or three years in Boise, I was running the show, getting as many reps as I wanted. I’ve got to go back to like when I was a freshman. Every play, I have to watch, learn from that, too. I’ll throw a little during special teams or between periods to stay loose but just get in that mindset as much as I can.

Has the fit in Denver been what you expected?

I think so. I’ve been getting some service reps with the 1s. Going against that defense, one of the best in the league, is awesome. I’m trying to learn as much as I can. It’s going to be a marathon for me, not a sprint.

With five preseason games (the Broncos play in the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1), how might that help you?

We’ll see, I don’t know how it’ll play out. I know if I get my opportunity, I’ll be ready to go. It can’t hurt having that extra game to get some of that experience. I know the Hall of Fame Game, they don’t usually like to play the starters a whole lot, but I’m ready for however it works.

You’re with a veteran in Joe Flacco and a fellow rookie in Drew Lock. How has that been?

Joe has been awesome. There are a lot of guys that I don’t think would be as willing to help out like he has. Drew and I, we’re going through the same growing pains, it’s been awesome to have both those guys. Rep-wise, we have a difference, but you don’t dwell on it. We’re learning and competing together.

What’s the best part of the NFL?

Not having to worry about school. I took some classes in the summers, but right now, it’s kind of like our fall camp in Boise. Obviously, there’s a different lifestyle. There’s money, there’s more food. There’s 2-3,000 people watching every practice, so that ratchets up the pressure a little bit. You felt that a little bit in Boise since football is so huge there, and it’s that way here, just amplified.

What are your thoughts on the Boise State quarterbacks?

I remember being in that same position (four years ago). Ryan (Finley) was going into his third year, it was my first. We have a couple really good true freshmen, and Chase (Cord) has been around for a few years. Jaylon (Henderson), Riley Smith, Zach Matlock, that whole room is really talented. Obviously got to know most of those guys when I was there. It’ll be fun to see. If they need any advice, I’ll give it to them for sure. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but whoever it is, he’s going to do well, there are good things in place there.

(Photo courtesy of Dave Southorn)