Getty Images
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has been demoted in Baltimore.
Former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has lost his grip on the backup spot with the Baltimore Ravens, which doesn’t bode well for his NFL future.
Rush spent seven-plus seasons in Dallas as a backup, stepping in when needed for Dak Prescott. When called upon, Rush delivered solid performances in Prescott’s absence, posting a 9-5 record as a starter. Over 14 starts, he compiled 3,463 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and a 60.7% completion rate.
Rush signed a two-year deal worth up to $12.2 million with the Ravens this offseason. He has not fared as well in Baltimore. He’s started two games in place of an injured Lamar Jackson, going 0-2. Rush has passed for 303 yards, no touchdowns and four interceptions this season, prompting the Ravens to make a move.
The Ravens announced on Friday that Rush is now No. 3 on the depth chart. Jackson is questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Bears. If he’s unable to go, it will be Tyler Huntley drawing the start.
Baltimore is emerging from its bye week with a 1-5 record and in need of a quick turnaround if it hopes to salvage their playoff hopes.
Dallas Reunion With Cooper Rush Unlikely
Rush, 31, struggled in his first real opportunity outside of Dallas and now faces an uncertain future. The Ravens can move on from his deal with minimal financial impact after the season, leaving him to hope another team sees value in him as a veteran backup.
In the wake of Rush’s exit, the Cowboys traded for former sixth-round pick Joe Milton — a younger, more affordable option still on his rookie contract through 2027. That makes a reunion with Rush highly unlikely, even with his strong ties in Dallas and the respect he holds from players like Dak Prescott, who was disappointed to see him go.
“I don’t know if I could put a value on what Cooper Rush has meant to me throughout my career,” Prescott said in April. “You’re talking about a guy who approaches the game the right way and is a real man off the field. A true leader in what he does. Baltimore is getting a hell of a guy to add to that quarterback room.”
Cowboys Offense Humming Behind Dak Prescott
With a healthy Prescott at the helm, the Cowboys’ offense has been the best in the league. Dallas is averaging 390 yards and 31.7 points per game this season. Prescott is an MVP candidate, passing for 1,881 yards, 16 touchdowns and just three interceptions.
“Dak’s playing really well. You know, I’m not trying to not make a big deal about [how] he’s playing great, but that’s what we expect from Dak, and he’s got incredible weapons,” Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer said. “You see the trust that he has in these guys.
He’ll lead the Cowboys into Denver on Sunday with something to prove. The Broncos are one of just two teams Prescott has not defeated in his career as the starter in Dallas.
“Going up there, going to their place, yeah, this is one you definitely want to cross off. When you’ve been playing 10 years or so and you get to see these people twice and multiple times, you’re trying to get all your wins,” Prescott said.
Prescott and the Cowboys are a 3.5-point underdog against the 5-2 Broncos.
J.R. DeGroote JR DeGroote is a staff writer for Heavy.com, where he has covered the NFL, NBA, and trending sports stories since 2019. His work focuses on some of the most passionate fanbases in sports, including reporting on the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Lakers. More about J.R. DeGroote
More Heavy on Cowboys
Loading more stories
