Vikings QB has a bold prediction for Bears this season

Tuesday night, the excitement around this Chicago Bears season continued to grow as fans were able to watch the final episode of HBO's Hard Knocks. As if the anticipation for the season wasn't already at an all-time high, fans finished that episode with even more angst for what's to come.

In the fifth and final episode of the series, the footage focused primarily on roster cuts. Fans were able to get an inside look at Bears general manager Ryan Poles and how he handled parting ways with each individual player as the team made their way down to the 53-man roster.

One of the more heartwarming moments came when the team was able to bring back undrafted rookie Austin Reed to the practice squad. Fans were able to see just how much it meant to him that the Bears kept him around.

But, that also meant 6-year veteran Brett Rypien was no longer in the picture. The Bears opted to keep Caleb Williams and Tyson Bagent on the active roster, while Reed made the practice squad. Rypien, meanwhile, was cut.

The HBO cameras caught up with Rypien after he was cut and on his way to O'Hare Airport. Rypien had already received word, from his agent that a deal with the Minnesota Vikings had been done. He was officially a Viking. His career would continue.

One of the things Rypien said, even after becoming a member of the Vikings, showed how much he valued his short time with the Bears.

"This team is gonna do special things this year. There's a lot of special people in that building," Rypien said.

The hype surrounding the Chicago Bears has a far greater reach than just the midwest

We have seen plenty of hype coming out of Bears camp, but the national media is getting on board with Rypien's sentiments. There is starting to be a belief that this Bears team could, indeed, do something special this year, and hopefully for years to come.

Just look around the NFL media world. Whether it's the latest episode of the Scoop City podcast with NFL insider Dianna Russini, NFL Network's Gerald McCoy making bold predictions or even the most recent season-long simulation from ESPN that has Chicago making the playoffs, the national media is officially all aboard the Bears hype train.

Aside from the hype, and going back to Rypien's quote, I can't help but imagine what Vikings fans had to think about those words, especially knowing the two teams are obviously bitter rivals.

Rypien was no longer a member of the Bears. He was part of the Vikings. Yet, he still went out of his way to give a prediction for his former team, stating that they're going to do something special this year.

He may be wearing purple and gold, but Rypien's heart is still for the navy and orange.