The moves continue around the NFL as free agency is well underway. The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly seizing the open market to add depth behind Lamar Jackson, signing the player who served as Dak Prescott‘s backup on the Dallas Cowboys in the last few years.
On Sunday, Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Ravens are signing quarterback Cooper Rush to a two-year contract worth up to $12.2 million. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the deal includes $4.2 million guaranteed.
Ravens insider Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic adds that Rush is signing a two-year, $6.2 million contract that could reach the figures mentioned by Pelissero and Rapoport if the quarterback reaches a number of incentives based on playing time, starts, and wins, among other factors.
Rush’s experience behind Prescott in Dallas
Rush, who turns 32 in November, arrives in Baltimore with significant experience backing up one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL. The Central Michigan product joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017, only a year after the team drafted Prescott, and went on to spend eight years in Dallas.
Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys and Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys talk after the loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in a preseason game at AT&T Stadium on August 12, 2023 in Arlington, Texas.
Even though he spent a few months on the New York Giants’ practice squad in 2020, Rush ended up returning to Dallas that year after Prescott got injured. Eventually, Rush proved the Cowboys they made the right decision.
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His first start didn’t come until 2021, but he looked more than ready for it. In Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings, Rush threw for 325 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception as he orchestrated a late comeback win.
Rush proved particularly useful in 2022, when he went 4-1 as starter during Prescott’s absence due to injury. That impressive run saw him earn a two-year, $6 million deal to stay in Dallas the following offseason.
With the Cowboys sticking to him as QB2 instead of promoting Trey Lance, Rush was in charge of leading the offense in 2024 after Prescott decided to undergo season-ending surgery. Things were more complicated than in 2022, with Rush going 4-4 in eight starts last year.
Cowboys looking for a younger QB to work with Prescott
Rush’s departure isn’t exactly a surprise, since Jerry Jones’ son Stephen anticipated that Prescott would have a new backup in 2025, with the team looking to add a young prospect in the upcoming NFL Draft.
“You know, I think one of our goals is to get a young quarterback in the draft,” Jones said, via David Moore of the Dallas Morning News. “I don’t know where that’s going to be. That’s why we gave a [fourth-round pick] for Trey. It seems like all the quarterbacks, even guys we have in the fourth round, go in the first. They always go so much higher than what you think.”
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A new backup for Jackson in Baltimore
While Rush is a seasoned player, his arrival means the Ravens are getting a younger alternative for Jackson. Last season, their backup quarterback was Josh Johnson, who turns 39 in May.
A journeyman who spent time with 14 different teams in the NFL, Johnson arrived in Baltimore in 2023 to work behind Jackson and Tyler Huntley. With the latter leaving in 2024, the veteran found himself as the second QB on the depth chart. Now, Rush will be taking that role.
