The Baltimore Ravens have found their new backup quarterback, and they’re snatching him right out of Dallas. The move gives Lamar Jackson a dependable veteran behind him as the Ravens aim to fortify their quarterback depth for the 2025 season.
Ravens Get Lamar Jackson Backup in Former Cowboys QB Cooper Rush
Former Cowboys signal-caller Cooper Rush has agreed to a two-year deal with a maximum value of $12.2 million, including $4.2 million guaranteed.
NFL insider Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The #Ravens and QB Cooper Rush have agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $12.2 million, per me and @RapSheet. Deal negotiated by @EquitySports CEO Chris Cabott. After eight years in Dallas — and a 9-5 record as starter — Rush now will back up Lamar Jackson.”
Rush, 31, steps in for Josh Johnson, the 38-year-old journeyman who threw just three passes across six games last season. Jackson, for now, remains remarkably fit and durable — not missing a game due to injury since the end of 2022 — but the Ravens are ensuring they have a capable contingency plan.
Rush originally signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He has spent most of his career as Prescott’s backup. He did have a brief stint with the New York Giants before getting released in 2020. He returned to Dallas and carved out a stable role. Across 38 games in his career so far, the 31-year-old has thrown for 3,463 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
Rush is no game-changer, but he proved his reliability last season. He posted a career-high 1,844 passing yards and 12 touchdowns while going 4-4 after Dak Prescott’s injury.
Baltimore’s cautious approach to free agency has been evident, with general manager Eric DeCosta hesitant to open the franchise’s wallet to anyone available out there.
Instead of overpaying for aging veterans, the Ravens have focused on re-signing their own talent while making calculated additions like Rush. Meanwhile, Dallas is now scrambling for a backup quarterback, with Trey Lance’s future uncertain and Prescott as the only quarterback under contract.
While Rush is a safe option, his upside is limited. He ranked 36th in PFSN’s QB+ metric (60.0) and struggled under pressure, posting an EPA per dropback of -0.08 (33rd) and an ugly -0.61 mark when pressured (38th).
His third-down conversion rate of 34.8% ranked 26th in the NFL, and his nYPA (net yards per attempt) of 5.2 was just 0.3 ahead of his 4.9 YAC/Cp (yards after catch per completion). Rush is a solid game manager but unlikely to elevate an offense.
The Ravens aren’t expecting fireworks from Rush, but they’re getting what they need — a capable veteran who can keep the offense afloat in case of emergency.