Cooper Rush. That’s a name that probably gives Baltimore Ravens fans nightmares. He was the backup Lamar Jackson last season, and it was clear from the get-go that he didn’t fit in with the offense.
Jackson was banged up throughout 2025, opening the door for Rush to play. He wasn’t good. In fact, he was a detriment to the team, going 0-2 in his starts and throwing 0 touchdowns and 4 interceptions.
Despite all that, Rush found a new home with the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. And somehow, he might start in their season opener.
On Thursday, Tua Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury and was a limited participant. After practice, Rush revealed he took the reps with the 1s.
Tagovailoa was named the Week 1 starter earlier in the week, but this could throw a wrench into things. And just who might Rush start against? The Pittsburgh Steelers.
Former Baltimore Ravens QB Cooper Rush might be nearing start against Steelers
Talk about having an early impact on the AFC North. Just when Ravens fans thought they escaped Cooper Rush having a say in what goes on in their division, he could be thrown right back into the mix.
Obviously no one is even thinking about playoff implications in the season opener, and in all honesty, the Steelers were already expected to win this game. Still, Rush possibly starting would likely make life way easier for Pittsburgh. A 1-0 start to the year could suddenly look even more attainable.
Rush didn’t play against the Steelers last year. And the Ravens are lucky for that. Even though they got swept by their arch rival in 2025, those contests would’ve been anything but competitive. Now, Rush is nearing his first taste of Steelers week…just in a Falcons uniform.
There might be a realm where Rush actually looks competent—a level he didn’t come close to reaching in Baltimore. Playing in an offensive system catered to Lamar Jackson didn’t really put Rush in a position to succeed.
During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, though, he was one of the more respected quarterbacks in the NFL. His 2024 campaign was especially solid, posting a 4-4 record and throwing for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. That’s serviceable.
This past preseason he had some decent moments, too. He had a disastrous Falcons debut, going 7-for-19 with 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. However, the rest of the way he completed 23-of-29 passes for 192 yards and 1 touchdown.
If Rush does start and somehow defeats the Steelers, then that’d be a crazy bad way for Pittsburgh to start their Mike McCarthy era. And in that scenario, maybe Ravens fans would forgive him for the nagging headache he gave the team when he was on the field in 2025.
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