The Baltimore Ravens have found their new backup quarterback. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Baltimore is signing former Cowboys QB Cooper Rush to a two-year deal worth up to $12.2 million, with $4.2 million guaranteed.
If that sounds like a lot to shell out to a backup who ideally won’t have to see the field often, Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic reports that Rush’s deal is actually worth $6.2 million over two years, with an additional $6 million available in incentives—most of which likely hinge on playing time, meaning they’d only come into play if Jackson were sidelined. So the Ravens aren’t exactly breaking the bank unless disaster strikes.
Rush, 31, steps in as Lamar Jackson’s primary backup after spending most of his career behind Dak Prescott in Dallas. He’s not flashy, but he’s dependable—posting a pretty sound 9-5 career record as a starter, including a 4-4 stretch last season when Prescott went down.
Baltimore hasn’t had to rely on a backup much lately, but when they do, they'll need someone who can pick up where Jackson left off. Rush brings just that, giving the Ravens an experienced insurance policy in case of emergency.
Cooper Rush will be the Ravens new backup quarterback behind Lamar Jackson
Rush began his career in Dallas after being signed as an undrafted free agent in 2017 out of Central Michigan. He's served as Prescott's backup for the last three seasons, making a pretty good case for himself as one of the more reliable backup quarterbacks in the league.
He arrives in Charm City with 3,463 passing yards and 20 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Not too shabby for a backup.
The Ravens' quarterback room needed a legitimate backup. Longtime journeyman and free agent Josh Johnson has been Jackson's backup the past two seasons, but he'll be 39 years old at the start of next season, and he remains unsigned. The Rush signing essentially closed the door on his potential return.
Baltimore also has soon-to-be former Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary, who the Ravens selected in the sixth round of the draft last year. He spent all of last season on the practice squad and could compete for the third quarterback position on the depth chart—if they choose to carry three quarterbacks, which they didn't do last year.
Overall, this is a smart signing by general manager Eric DeCosta. Baltimore’s backup quarterback situation has been a low-key concern for years. Rush gives the Ravens a proven insurance policy—one that has actually won games when called upon.