Cowboys Could Make $2.9 Million Move at Quarterback: Analyst.

This offseason, the Dallas Cowboys might make a quarterback acquisition.

The Cowboys will probably have financial casualties going into the summer because they are $11 million in the hole when it comes to salary cap space. Quarterback Cooper Rush is one of those players who was presented as a possible cap casualty.

The Cowboys might be able to save $2.3 million by moving on from Rush, whose 2024 salary cap charge is $2.9 million, according to Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report. In the event that the Cowboys waived him this offseason, his dead cap cost would only be $625K.

“Dumping Rush would only save $2.3 million in cap space, but it’s an easy cut to justify, and the Cowboys need all the cap space they can muster,” writes Knox. “Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb are both entering the final year of their current deals and are very likely to receive extensions in 2024.”

Why Cooper Rush is a Valuable Cowboys Backup

The 30-year-old Rush joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and has since served as a reliable backup for the team.

In his first five seasons, Rush played little and made only one game start. But in 2022, he made a breakthrough as a replacement for an injured Dak Prescott in five games at the beginning of the season.

Rush finished both starts with a 4-1 record, salvaged the Cowboys’ season (they went on to make the playoffs), and finished with an 80.0 passer

rating while throwing five touchdowns against three interceptions. Compared to Prescott, who had the lowest interception rate in the league at

3.8%, his 1.9% interception percentage represented a significant improvement.

That efficient season led to Rush signing a two-year deal worth $6 million for the Cowboys this past offseason.

Trey Lance’s Presence Could Lead to Cowboys Releasing Cooper Rush

That being said, Rush might be done for good after the San Francisco 49ers acquired him in a preseason deal for Trey Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick.

Knox notes that Rush is relatively disposable given the trade for San Francisco 49ers signal-caller and former first-round choice Trey Lance last

summer. Dallas wasted a fourth-round pick on Lance, if it doesn’t think it can develop him into a reliable long-term backup.

Lance doesn’t appear to be a threat to Prescott’s gig as the starting quarterback, but he should present a threat to Rush’s longtime role as a backup.

Although he didn’t take a single snap during the 2023 season, there are some expectations for Lance considering the Cowboys gave up a fourth-

round pick in order to acquire him.

“We view it as an opportunity that could pay dividends this year and will pay dividends (long term),” Jones said regarding the Lance trade back in

August, via Jon Machota of The Athletic.

With one year remaining on his contract, Lance will be making $5.3 million in his final year of his rookie deal.

Lance has experience starting for the

Niners, going 2-2 in four starts with five touchdowns against three interceptions, 797 passing yards, an 84.5 passer rating, and 235 rushing yards.

It’s clear that he lacks game experience in the Cowboys’ scheme.

It wouldn’t be shocking at all if the Cowboys saved a few million dollars by trading for Rush and elevating Lance to the position of starting backup

quarterback in light of the impending contract extensions that Prescott and CeeDee Lamb need to sign.

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