The Ravens have a new backup in place for QB Lamar Jackson. Per Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Baltimore is signing Cooper Rush to a two-year deal worth up to $12.2MM.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Rush will receive $4.2MM in guaranteed money, and Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic notes the true value of the two-year accord is $6.2MM. Rush can earn an additional $6MM in incentives (including playing time incentives) that presumably will only be hit if Jackson sustains an injury.
Luckily for the Ravens, their star passer and two-time MVP has been able to play a full slate of games over the past two years, so the club’s decision to invest minimally in the backup QB position with players like former UDFA Tyler Huntley and noted journeyman Josh Johnson has been a non-issue. That said, Zrebiec reported earlier this month that Baltimore could be in the market for an upgrade (subscription required), and the team has found one in Rush.
Cowboys QB1 Dak Prescott missed five games due to injury in 2022 and nine more in 2024, and Rush capably filled in for him on both occasions. In 14 career starts, the Central Michigan alum has compiled a 9-5 record, including a 4-4 mark last season. In 2024, Rush completed just over 60% of his passes for 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns against five interceptions.
As that TD:INT ratio suggests, the 31-year-old has been lauded for his ability to avoid mistakes. He does not offer much in the running game, so in the event he needs to relieve Jackson and his dual-threat abilities, offensive coordinator Todd Monken will need to adjust the offense accordingly. Still, Rush is a quality backup that can keep a club afloat for a stretch, and despite the strong rapport that Johnson and Jackson established, the Ravens clearly felt a more significant expenditure was necessary (though Zrebiec does leave open the possibility that Johnson could return as a third-stringer).
In light of Prescott’s market-topping contract and the massive extension for Micah Parsons that is looming on the horizon — to say nothing of CeeDee Lamb‘s high-end deal — Cowboys COO Stephen Jones recently indicated Dallas would allow Rush and fellow signal-caller/reclamation project Trey Lance to seek greener pastures elsewhere. David Moore of the Dallas Morning News believes the club will add a passer on Day 3 of next month’s draft and allow that player to compete with Will Grier for the backup gig in 2025.
Wow, he actually left the Cowboys. IMO, the Giants should have considered him to start. Now he’s back to being another back up.
And a nice salary for being a back up. Not a bad gig.
Cooper would have been a MUCH smarter target than Rodgers.
He would be a very professional starter, which costs less letting the team roll cap forward until they team was ready to compete. Then draft your potential future starter…whether that is with their 1st pick or a later one that needs more development. Dumping tons of money into a selfish aging QB that will cause problems as soon as the team starts to lose…..which the Giants will no doubt do.
Lawrence was so right about the cowboys as long as Jerry jones is the GM they can’t win a Super Bowl
I wonder why all these long time players are leaving
Same reason as before and has been for while…Jerry can’t manage a team and players.
Cooper should have stayed in Dallas. If he played his cards right (i.e., stroked Jerry’s ego) he could have been the head coach in 10 years.
I think Jerry’s ego is covered with a gray fungus…not stroking that without latex gloves 🙂
Great backup gig
Why not just bring back Flacco for that money?! Bring Joe home!
This is who Vikings or Steelers should have signed but I’m happy as hell to have him as a backup in Baltimore.. I would prefer him over a Rodgers or Wilson right now. And how Cowboys didn’t resign him is head scratching
A little pricey, but like the signing