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.