Dallas Cowboys re-sign backup QB Cooper Rush to two-year deal

The Dallas Cowboys have chosen to hang on to Dak Prescott’s backup Cooper Rush. Rush signed a new deal this week before he hit the free agency market in March. The backup quarterback is locked in on a two-year deal for $6 million, according to a report from Ian Rapaport.

The former unsigned free agent out of Central Michigan played an important role when Prescott exited the Cowboys’ Week 1 game versus Tampa Bay.

The QB1’s thumb fracture pushed Rush into the starting job and he led the team to a 4-2 start. The manageable start put Dallas in a position to finish the season with a 12-5 record.

Rush, playing on a two-year, $1.9 million deal, accumulated 1,051 passing yards with five touchdowns and three picks as Prescott’s early-season relief. He had a completion percentage of 58%. However, he hit a high of 67% versus the Giants in Week 3.

Over his five-year stint with Dallas, which has been off and on, Rush has 125 completions on 212 attempts for 1,475 passing yards, eight touchdowns, four interceptions, 10 sacks and 11 net rushing yards.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2023 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. There are 722 players slated to become free agents in 2023, including 20 unrestricted free agents for Dallas.