Ex-Dallas Cowboys $13 Million QB Gets Fresh Start With NFC Team Amid Growing Concerns
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
The Atlanta Falcons acted fast to get a new quarterback as injuries started building up early in training camp. The team signed former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush on July 29 when worries grew over the health of multiple quarterbacks on the team.
ESPN insider Adam Schefter reported, “With Atlanta QB Tua Tagovailoa dealing with a tight back and Michael Penix still not practicing due to a knee injury, the Falcons are signing veteran quarterback Cooper Rush, per sources.”
Atlanta suddenly found itself short on healthy quarterbacks, prompting the team to bring in the veteran.
Rush brings a lot of real game experience to Atlanta. He spent seven years as a reliable backup for the Cowboys before signing a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the Baltimore Ravens in 2025. He became a free agent after the Ravens let him go in March.
Falcons Turn To Cooper Rush As Injuries Pile Up
Atlanta’s quarterback room has changed suddenly over the last several days. According to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi, Tagovailoa will miss practice because of a tight back but expects to return next week. Penix still has not received clearance for 11-on-11 team drills after he suffered the injury last season.
Raimondi also noted that Atlanta released Trevor Siemian because of an injury. That left undrafted rookie Jack Strand as the only healthy quarterback on the roster before the Falcons added Rush.
The signing gives Atlanta a veteran option while the team monitors the health of its top quarterbacks. Rush appeared in four games for Baltimore last season and started two of them. He threw for 303 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions.
Despite his short stay with the Ravens, Rush left Dallas with strong feelings about the organization that gave him his NFL opportunity.
“From an undrafted rookie wearing #7 to an eight year veteran wearing #10, I appreciated every moment in a Cowboys uniform,” Rush wrote on Instagram after his departure in 2025.
“Thank you Dallas for all of the love that you showed to me and family. I’m excited for the next chapter but forever grateful for the first one.”
Meanwhile, the Cowboys continue their own quarterback competition behind Dak Prescott. Sam Howell and Joe Milton will battle for the backup role during training camp.
Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer praised both quarterbacks earlier this year.
“Sam was a guy, we watched the film, we were like, man, if we could have Sam Howell and Joe Milton on this football team and give those guys both a chance to compete,” Schottenheimer said in March.
For now, Rush starts another chapter in Atlanta as the Falcons look for stability while their quarterback injuries heal.
