Cowboys Trade Proposal: Dak Prescott Backup Cooper Rush to Raiders? Why?

One trade idea has the Cowboys flipping Cooper Rush to the Raiders.

Regardless of what irrational fans or loud-talking media members might say (or want), the Dallas Cowboys won't be getting rid of quarterback Dak Prescott anytime soon.

But his backup, Cooper Rush, has proven his value as a signal-caller in impressive fashion, and could've entered the unofficial trade-rumor waters as a result. Rush has played sparingly during his five-year NFL career, starting just six games and appearing in 19. But in five of those starts that came last season, Rush posted a 4-1 record while passing for 1051 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

Dating back to his first-career start in a 2021 Halloween win against the Minnesota Vikings, Rush is 5-1 as a starter.

As a result, one media outlet thinks the Cowboys could look to capitalize with a quarterback-needy team and get an investment in return since Rush's value is high due to his proven winning ability and solid passing display.

The Las Vegas Raiders could certainly qualify, as Heavy Sports recently presented the idea of a Rush-to-Raiders trade. Newly-signed quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo continues to deal with the pains of a surgically-repaired foot that is leaving his status for Week 1 in doubt. Rush has stepped in before, and could be a solid placeholder for Las Vegas if Garoppolo remains injured.

Even if Jimmy G were to be active for Week 1, it obviously doesn't mean he'll remain healthy. Having Rush there as insurance could be in the Raiders' best interest, especially if it could only cost a future late-round draft pick.

That's grand for Vegas. But the suggestion omits an important fact: In an NFL world in which, as CowboysSI.com writes often, the backup QB is "the 12th starter,'' why would Dallas dump Rush for a "late-round draft pick''? Or even something higher than that? The Cowboys put a great deal of effort into finally nailing down the backup QB spot, and this year paid Rush with an affordable two-year deal to keep him.

Do the Raiders need QB insurance? Sure. But so do the Cowboys.

Without Rush's performance last season, it's possible that Dallas wouldn't have been able to build adequate playoff-ready momentum once Prescott returned. Instead, his first game back was a breeze, as the Cowboys had used the mojo built from the Rush-led four-game winning streak to topple the rising Detroit Lions in a 24-6 Week 7 win.

Maybe for a team in a position like the Raiders, this could be enough to warrant a trade. But for now, Rush remains in Dallas, a place he's grown comfortable with over the last six years.

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You can follow Zach Dimmitt on Twitter at @ZachDimmitt7

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