Over the next several weeks, the Dallas Cowboys must prioritize finding a backup quarterback for Dak Prescott after seeing veteran Cooper Rush sign elsewhere in free agency.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, the former Cowboys quarterback signed a two-year deal worth up to $12.2 million with the Baltimore Ravens. If you are the Cowboys, this isn’t ideal news as Trey Lance is also an unrestricted free agent.
The #Ravens and QB Cooper Rush have agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $12.2 million, per me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 16, 2025
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. pic.twitter.com/ZEN67IML7z
At the NFL scouting combine, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones said in as many words that the young dual-threat quarterback would not return to Dallas next season.
With that being said, plus Rush signing with the Ravens, the Cowboys don’t have a lot of great options on the free agent market. Some free agent quarterbacks still available are Drew Lock, Joe Flacco, Jameis Winston, Tyler Huntley, Desmond Ridder, Easton Stick, and C.J. Beathard.
Lock, Winston, Huntley, and Flacco could be interesting options for Dallas, particularly Flacco due to his years of experience. The only other quarterback the Cowboys have on the roster besides Prescott is journeyman Will Grier.
However, if those backup QB options don’t excite the Cowboys’ brass, the team could look to draft a quarterback, which they haven’t done since 2020 (Ben DiNucci in the seventh round).
This year’s draft class at QB is fairly solid after the top-4 guys (Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, Jaxson Dart, and Jalen Milroe). Since the Cowboys signed Prescott to a huge four-year, $240 million contract extension last season, Dallas would look for someone they could develop and potentially become a potential starter in the league.
Kyle McCord, Tyler Shough, Dillon Gabriel, and Quinn Ewers are QBs with a ton of collegiate experience, and could grow into the QB2 role. After their first two picks in the top-2 rounds, the Cowboys have eight additional picks between Rds. 3-7 to use on a quarterback.
Nonetheless, whatever the Cowboys do at quarterback this offseason, they must have their plan solidified. They got away with leaning on Rush for many years when Prescott got injured, including last season. Dallas doesn’t have that luxury any more, so they must be smart in figuring out the QB room.