'Lucky' Cowboys Nearly Lost QB Cooper Rush to Raiders or Bengals

The Dallas Cowboys were able to retain one of their most pleasant surprises from the 2022-23 season in Cooper Rush. But they almost lost him to a pair of AFC competitors.

The Dallas Cowboys are feeling the Rush ... but it appears that at least a couple of other teams wanted in as well.

One of the more pleasant surprises of the Cowboys' offseason has been the fact that they were able to retain backup quarterback Cooper Rush, who helped keep the team's 2022-23 fortunes alive by subbing in for an injured Dak Prescott in the early stages. Rush will return to the team on a two-year, $5 million deal, continuing a Cowboys career that began as an undrafted free agent addition in 2017. 

New intel from team reporter Nick Eatman indicates that, much like Rush during his showcase last autumn, a last-second maneuver might've helped the Cowboys get by. Eatman claims that there was no shortage of suitors for Rush, disclosing in a mailbag that two AFC teams in varying quarterback situations made a play for his services.

"From the sound of things, the Cowboys got pretty lucky that he returned," Eatman claims. "He was getting close to taking another offer with either the (Las Vegas) Raiders or (Cincinnati) Bengals."

While Rush would've been an undoubted understudy for Cincinnati ... which seems well set on having Joe Burrow lead the way ... Rush might've had a legitimate case for starting in Las Vegas. The Raiders opted to use journeyman thrower Jarrett Stidham over the final two games of their woebegone 2022-23 season, the last of the Derek Carr era that began in 2014. Missing out on Rush, Las Vegas instead brought in former San Francisco 49er Jimmy Garoppolo with undrafted sophomore Chase Garbers serving as his current backup. 

Ironically, the Bengals are well aware of what Rush can bring to the table, having previously served as the victims of his early heroics. In September, Rush threw for 235 yards and a score in a 20-17 victory over the defending AFC champions, succeeding in his first start at AT&T Stadium. 

It appears, however, that Rush is comfortable with the familiarity of Dallas, one where he has served as a reliable backup to Prescott. Rush returns as one of three quarterbacks in the current Dallas passing room, joining Prescott and Will Grier.

Despite the offseason hype surrounding the Central Michigan alum after his early fall heroics, Eatman believed that Rush was never in any true danger of leaving.

"I don't think he ever really wanted to leave," Eatman said. "Sometimes, just comfort alone is hard to beat. Cooper Rush is a solid backup that is a proven winner. So while we all thought it was close last year with Will Grier, it's going to be even tougher now considering Rush has won so many games as a starter."

"Yes, they might draft a QB as well, but I find it hard to believe he won't be the No. 2 QB here next year.

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Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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