5 Cowboys Who Should Be Cut Before Free Agency Opens

Cooper Rush, QB

This is one that the Cowboys should think harder about. Is saving $2.25 million in salary cap worth giving up your dependable backup quarterback? Maybe.

Cooper Rush has been a reliable QB2 for the past six seasons. Every time he was counted upon, he stepped up admirably and has a 5-1 record in six starts. At age 30, he has the experience to step in as needed.

Despite the winning record, has Rush shown enough in his career that he is irreplaceable? In his only season where he had a regular stint as a starter, he had 1,051 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions in nine games and five starts. His career pass completion percentage is 60.6%.

There is a reason there has never been too much interest in the former undrafted signal-caller in free agency or on the trade market. Yet, there is a benefit to having a veteran backup around who knows the team, coach, and the organization.

But, the Cowboys added Trey Lance last season. They want to develop him as they traded a fourth-round pick to get him. They presumably wouldn't have done so if they hadn't thought that Lance could take over at QB2 at some point.

Considering that there wouldn't be any cap savings from cutting Lance, Rush seems like the logical choice. The $2.25 million in cap savings could be used to bring a cheaper third-string quarterback.

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