Cooper Rush approaching major incentive in Week 18 with Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys (7-9) quarterback Cooper Rush has already earned a $250,000 incentive by playing 45% of the snaps this season.

Rush, who has played 52.3% of the snaps, can earn another $250,000 if he reaches 55%. He’ll likely hit that mark if he plays in Sunday’s season finale against the Washington Commanders (11-5). Rush is well “aware” of his incentives, according to Todd Archer of ESPN.

“Yeah, they’re [incentives] in the contract for a reason, times like this,” Rush said Thursday. “You’ll see what happens. … Those are always fun parts of the contracts.” 

But here’s the thing: Dallas has yet to announce if Rush or Trey Lance will be under center at AT&T Stadium. If Lance plays, obviously, Rush will not hit the threshold for his incentive. Head coach Mike McCarthy declined to name a starter when pressed about the topic.

“I really don’t want to talk about it,” McCarthy said Thursday. “We’re looking at this as a competition between football operations. We’re going to stay the course.” 

Rush, 31, has started every game for the Cowboys since Dak Prescott suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in Week 9. Dallas has gone 4-4 under Rush, who has thrown for 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions on 60.7% passing.

Rush knows what comes with the territory of being a backup quarterback in the NFL.

“Especially how I’ve come up in the NFL, it’s always an eval,” Rush said. “Every practice, every game. It’s nothing new.”

Cowboys undecided on Cooper Rush, Trey Lance for season finale vs. Commanders

Lance, meanwhile, is still looking for an opportunity to play. Acquired last August from the San Francisco 49ers (6-10) in exchange for a 2024 fourth-round pick, Lance has thrown just seven passes this season. The last time he received serious run was the final preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers (10-6). Lance completed 33-of-49 passes for 323 passing yards, one touchdown and five interceptions while rushing for 90 yards and a score.

“Yeah, a lot,” the 24-year-old said of how much he’s learned since the preseason finale in August, via Garrett Podell of CBS Sports. “Honestly, any time you turn the ball over that many times, it’s easier to smile talking about it now than it was going back four months ago or whatever it was. Yeah, I learned a ton from it. Made mistakes, learned from them. Some good things, some bad things that’s how it goes.”

McCarthy paid compliments to both for the job they’ve done since Prescott went down.

“I think the biggest thing when you look at the quarterback position here, when I’m putting together an evaluation, I have the benefit of being with them every day,” McCarthy said. “I spent a tremendous amount of time with them. I make sure that I’m on top of it like what we do in quarterback school. [quarterbacks coach] Scott Tolzien has done an incredible job staying on top of the fundamentals and everything is calculated.

“I would say they’ve all improved. I think Cooper would stand here and say he’s playing the best ball of his career, and I know Trey is definitely improving and it’s been good to have Will [Grier] back.”

Both Rush and Lance are set to be free agents in March.