Movements continue during free agency and the Dallas Cowboys are trying to keep their crunchies at all costs. This time, it’s backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who has re-signed with the Cowboys. The lone star team offices were clearly pleased with his performance in 2022 and the decision has been made for him to remain Dak Prescott’s backup QB.
Regarding the details of the extension, it is known that it will be for two campaigns and they will be paying a total of six million dollars. On an interesting note, this was the most ever paid to a backup quarterback since Dak Prescott’s arrival on the roster in 2016.
RUSHing in for a couple more seasons ✍️#DallasCowboys | @blockchain pic.twitter.com/FIXYMyT93d
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) March 17, 2023
Thanks to this move, the rumor of a possible Rush game to the Chargers is completely over. Before the start of the new league year, there was a lot of talk about this situation. Especially since Kellen Moore is their new offensive coordinator and it was hoped that Rush’s experience could motivate franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
However, the Cowboys have gone ahead again and stuck with the backup QB. Let’s not forget that Rush came to the NFL as an undrafted agent in 2017. He would be in Dallas through 2019, then follow in Jason Garrett’s footsteps and be on the Giants’ practice squad for just a few months. He would return to Dallas for a second chance, coming through the practice squad first, but going on to have a golden opportunity as a starter. In week 8 of 2021, he would face the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium on a Sunday night, all thanks to a calf injury Prescott was counting on. The end result would be a 20-16 cowboy victory.
During the game against Minnesota, Rush would complete 24 of 40 passes for 325 yards and two scores. Already for the following season, he would have to leave for Dak Prescott from week 2 against the Bengals. Dak would have a right thumb injury and it would be Cooper’s time to shine again. He would end up with a record of four wins and one loss. The latter being against the Philadelphia Eagles in week 6.
And to make his stint in Dallas a bit more interesting, Rush managed to win five straight after starting the Vikings’ game in late October 2021. Based on this, he has the best record for a starting quarterback. starting from scratch in the history of the organization. All of this despite the fact that he’s been in the league since 2017. But it wouldn’t be until that Dallas clash at US Bank Stadium where he’d get his first taste of it since the start.
BIG TIME COOPER RUSH. #DallasCowboys
????: #DALvsMIN on NBC
????: https://t.co/vo1pze9aC5 pic.twitter.com/pZcZTU7TVP— NFL (@NFL) November 1, 2021
Rush would put up very good numbers in the five games in which he had to cover for Prescott while he recovered from his injury. He would go on to complete 94 of 162 passes for 1,051 yards and five touchdowns. Unfortunately, he would drop three interceptions, all of which would come against Philadelphia. From then on, Rush would return again as a backup item and Dak would be out from week 7 onwards. Where we must not forget that the Cowboys would defeat the Lions with a result of 24 to 6.
Despite all this, Rush has proven his worth in the team and that is why the organization has opted for him. Along with this, the Mariscales body is covered with the presence of Will Grier as the third QB of the franchise. However, in the Draft they may opt for another Quarterback in the last rounds or even an unselected agent to create some competition. What is certain is that Rush has already ensured his permanence in Dallas and the team will have quality support in any situation that arises.
