Rush has been a serviceable backup for the Cowboys since joining the team as a UDFA in 2017. The 31-year-old signal caller went 4-4 as a starter last season while throwing for 1844-12-5, and led the team to four 26-plus point performances on the year. Rush can earn up to $12.2 million on his new contract, and should be an immediate upgrade over Josh Johnson, who served as the Ravens’ backup last season.

Rush was benched for Trey Lance in the season finale, supposedly for the Cowboys to see what they have in Lance. It conveniently also leaves Rush shy of the 55 percent of snaps he needed for an additional $500k contract incentive. He finishes the season 4-4 as the Cowboys’ starter, totaling 1,844 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions on the season. The Cowboys did not make the playoffs, but Rush had a few serviceable fantasy QB2 finishes that bought him a little more longevity at the NFL level. He hits free agency this offseason where he will likely score a good backup quarterback contract.

Jones said earlier in the week that he doesn’t think Trey Lance will start in Week 18 but declined to say anything about the situation on Friday. It would be a tough blow to the pockets of Cooper Rush, who is due a $250K incentive if he plays on 55 percent or more of the Cowboys’ snaps this season. Rush has currently played on 52.3 percent of the team’s offensive snaps this season, and could presumably hit his incentive mark with a full assortment of snaps on Sunday.

The Cowboys got off to a strong start on their first drive, picking up 35 yards on their first five plays. On the sixth play, Rush threw a ball directly to C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who promptly returned it for a pick-six. Rush would throw a touchdown to his teammate on the Cowboys’ second drive when he connected with Jalen Tolbert for a four-yard score, but that was the only score Dallas would muster on the day. Rush threw his second interception of the game on a deep pass in the second quarter that also found Gardner-Johnson, who was one of three Eagles within range to make a play on the ball. It wasn’t the best outing for Rush, who had thrown for 506-4-0 in his previous two games. Assuming he doesn’t get benched for Trey Lance in the finale, Rush’s 2024 season will conclude in Week 18 against the Commanders.