Following quarterback Dak Prescott’s season-ending injury, Cooper Rush became the starter under center for the Dallas Cowboys for the rest of the year, and with the last game of the season close by, his duties are soon ending. However, his duties could be ending sooner than expected, as the quarterback could find himself warming the bench in Week 18.
CBS’ NFL insider Jonathan Jones highlighted $500,000 as the potential reason for the Cowboys to keep Rush out of action in the regular-season finale.
500,000 Reasons Cowboys Could Bench Cooper Rush in Week 18
Following Prescott’s injury in Week 9, the 31-year-old Rush became America’s Team’s shotcaller for the second half of the season. And as one of the better backup QBs in the league, Rush fared well, totaling 1,844 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 60.7% completion percentage.
His game performances have been average, but it’s important to note that he’s gained monumental game time this season. The increased game time led to Jones posting on X (formerly Twitter) to explain how it could cost Rush.
“Cowboys QB Cooper Rush gets $500,000 in incentives if he plays 55% of the team’s snaps this season. Going into Sunday he’s played 52.5%. Depending on snaps, he’ll need to play most or all of the game to reach that incentive, otherwise he’ll only earn $250k for reaching 45% mark,” Jones tweeted.
Cowboys QB Cooper Rush gets $500,000 in incentives if he plays 55% of the team's snaps this season.
Going into Sunday he's played 52.5%. Depending on snaps, he'll need to play most or all of the game to reach that incentive, otherwise he'll only earn $250k for reaching 45% mark
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9)
Last season, Rush signed a two-year contract with the Cowboys worth $6 million, with incentives accounting for $1 million.
Mike McCarthy Stays Quiet on Possibility of Benching Rush
On the Thursday of Week 18, Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy was asked about the QB situation for the upcoming game against the Washington Commanders. The media wanted to know whether he’d use Rush, Trey Lance, or both.
“I really don’t want to talk on it,” said McCarthy, per The Athletic.
The last time the Commanders and the Cowboys faced off, McCarthy employed Lance for some of the snaps. If that turns out to be the case again this Sunday, Rush’s chances of getting to his target of 55% snaps would be in jeopardy.
