By Adeniyi Precious 
Big news, Cowboys fans—Cooper Rush is out. The veteran backup QB is heading to Baltimore after signing a two-year, $12.2 million deal with the Ravens. Rush had been solid for Dallas whenever he was called upon, especially in 2022 when he stepped in and went 4-1 while Dak Prescott was injured.
With Rush gone, the Cowboys’ QB depth chart is looking pretty thin. Trey Lance is also expected to hit free agency, meaning as of now, the only backup option behind Dak is Will Grier. Not exactly ideal, considering Prescott’s recent injury history.
What’s Next for Dallas?
The Cowboys have a few options to fill the backup QB spot. They could look for a veteran in free agency, wait to see who gets cut after training camp, or go the draft route. The 2025 NFL Draft could be a chance to add a young QB, especially since Dak’s contract runs through 2028, but he’ll be 32 in July.
If they do go with a rookie, it’s likely to be a late-round pick. Some names floating around include Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel, Indiana’s Kurtis Rourke, and Louisville’s Tyler Shough—all potential Day 3 picks. However, if they want to make a bigger splash, Texas QB Quinn Ewers could be in play, though using a high pick on a backup is always a risk.
Bigger Issues to Address?
While figuring out the backup QB spot is important, the Cowboys have other pressing needs—like fixing the offensive line and finding another playmaker at wide receiver. Oh, and they desperately need a running back. If they go into the season with just Miles Sanders and Rico Dowdle, it could be rough against some of the tougher defenses they’ll face.
For now, though, the big question remains: Who steps up if Dak goes down? Here’s hoping Dallas has a plan—because they’re going to need one.