Cooper Rush has established a reputation as one of the most resilient backup quarterbacks in the National Football League. As of March 12, 2026, Rush entered the unrestricted free agent market following his release from the Baltimore Ravens. Across a professional career spanning nine seasons, predominantly with the Dallas Cowboys, Rush has demonstrated the ability to maintain offensive continuity under pressure. His career totals include 42 regular-season appearances, 3,766 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, yielding a career passer rating of 80.7.

Current Professional Status and 2025 Season Summary

Following a long-standing tenure in Dallas, Cooper Rush transitioned to the Baltimore Ravens for the 2025 NFL season, serving as the primary backup to Lamar Jackson. His role in Baltimore involved providing veteran stability to a high-powered offense. During the 2025 campaign, Rush appeared in four games, earning two starts during late-season scheduling shifts.

2025 Baltimore Ravens Statistical Breakdown

In his single season with the Ravens, Rush's statistical output reflected the challenges of adapting to a new system mid-career. His efficiency metrics during this period were as follows:

Category 2025 Statistics
Games Played 4
Games Started 2
Pass Attempts 52
Completions 34
Completion Percentage 65.4%
Passing Yards 303
Touchdowns 0
Interceptions 4
Passer Rating 48.8

The 2025 season saw Rush record a high completion percentage of 65.4%, yet this did not translate into scoring production, as evidenced by his zero touchdowns against four interceptions. His release in March 2026 positions him as a veteran option for teams seeking experienced depth for the 2026 training camp cycle.

Detailed NFL Career Passing Statistics by Year

The bulk of Cooper Rush’s professional data stems from his two stints with the Dallas Cowboys. His career is characterized by sporadic but high-leverage opportunities, particularly when stepping in for injured starters.

The 2024 Season: A Heavy Workload Year

The 2024 season represented the most significant statistical volume of Rush’s career. Due to extended absences in the starting lineup, Rush played in 12 games, recording career-highs across almost every passing category.

  • Pass Attempts: 308
  • Completions: 187
  • Passing Yards: 1,844
  • Touchdowns: 12
  • Interceptions: 5
  • Passer Rating: 83.8

This season was pivotal in demonstrating Rush's ability to carry a starting load for a sustained period, maintaining a respectable 2.4:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio over 300+ attempts.

The 2022 Season: The 5-Start Streak

The 2022 season is often cited as the definitive chapter of Rush’s professional reliability. Following a thumb injury to the primary starter in Week 1, Rush started five games and led the team to four victories.

  • Record as Starter: 4-1
  • Passing Yards: 1,051
  • Touchdowns: 5
  • Interceptions: 3
  • Completion Percentage: 58.0%

While his completion percentage in 2022 was lower than his career average, his "win-loss" impact was substantial, allowing the team to remain in playoff contention during a critical six-week stretch.

Annual Passing Data Table (2017–2025)

The following table synthesizes the regular-season passing data for Cooper Rush from his rookie year as an undrafted free agent through his most recent stint in Baltimore.

Year Team G Att Comp Pct Yds TD Int Rate
2025 BAL 4 52 34 65.4 303 0 4 48.8
2024 DAL 12 308 187 60.7 1,844 12 5 83.8
2023 DAL 7 24 18 75.0 144 0 1 72.2
2022 DAL 9 162 94 58.0 1,051 5 3 80.0
2021 DAL 5 47 30 63.8 422 3 1 105.1
2019 DAL 2 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
2018 DAL 1 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
2017 DAL 2 3 1 33.3 2 0 0 42.4
Total 42 596 364 61.1 3,766 20 14 80.7

Note: The 2020 season involved a brief tenure on the New York Giants' practice squad followed by a return to the Dallas practice squad, resulting in no active game statistics.

Analysis of Rushing and Ball Security Metrics

While Cooper Rush is primarily categorized as a "pocket passer," his mobility and ball security are essential components of his statistical profile. NFL defensive schemes often force backup quarterbacks out of the pocket, necessitating a look at his rushing and fumble data.

Rushing Statistics

Rush has never been a primary rushing threat, often utilizing runs for short-yardage conversions or to avoid immediate sacks.

  • Career Rushing Attempts: 62
  • Total Rushing Yards: 20
  • Average Yards Per Carry: 0.3
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 0
  • Career Longest Run: 15 yards (2017)

The discrepancy between his total attempts and low yardage is largely due to "kneel-downs" at the end of halves and the negative yardage associated with sacks, which are frequent for a quarterback who prioritizes staying within the tackle box.

Fumble and Ball Security Records

Ball security is a critical metric for a backup quarterback whose primary directive is to avoid "turning the ball over."

Year Team Fumbles Fumbles Lost
2025 BAL 1 1
2024 DAL 9 3
2022 DAL 2 0
2021 DAL 1 1
Total 13 5

The 2024 season saw a spike in fumbles (9), coinciding with his increased number of snaps and pressures. However, he only lost three of those fumbles, suggesting a relatively high recovery rate by either himself or his offensive linemen.

Collegiate Foundation at Central Michigan (2012–2016)

The statistical foundation for Rush's NFL career was built at Central Michigan University, where he was a four-year starter and one of the most productive passers in Mid-American Conference (MAC) history.

College Career Totals

Rush finished his tenure at Central Michigan with 49 consecutive starts, showcasing elite durability.

  • Passing Yards: 12,894
  • Passing Touchdowns: 90
  • Interceptions: 55
  • Career Completion Percentage: 62.0%
  • Passer Rating: 139.1

Year-by-Year College Performance

Season Comp Att Pct Yds TD Int
2013 177 312 56.7 2,349 15 15
2014 243 382 63.6 3,157 27 13
2015 324 489 66.3 3,848 25 11
2016 278 465 59.8 3,540 23 16

His 2015 season remains a benchmark in Central Michigan history, where he set a single-season school record with 3,848 passing yards. His ability to maintain a completion percentage above 60% for the majority of his college career served as the primary indicator for his potential as a professional backup.

Pre-Draft Measurements and NFL Combine Data

Despite his massive collegiate production, Rush was undrafted in 2017. His statistical profile at the NFL Combine provided context for his draft status, as scouts noted limitations in pure athletic explosiveness compared to his peers.

2017 NFL Combine Physical Metrics

  • Height: 6 ft 3 in
  • Weight: 225 lbs
  • Arm Length: 32 5/8 in
  • Hand Size: 9 1/8 in
  • 40-Yard Dash: 4.93 seconds
  • Vertical Jump: 27.0 in (Improved to 30" at Pro Day)
  • Broad Jump: 105 in (8 ft 9 in)
  • 3-Cone Drill: 7.23 seconds

These metrics categorized Rush as a traditional, statuesque quarterback. His success in the NFL has relied on mental processing and anticipation rather than the raw physical tools measured in these drills.

Contextualizing Performance: Relief Appearances vs. Starts

Analyzing Cooper Rush’s stats requires a distinction between games where he entered in relief and games where he prepared as the starter.

In relief appearances, Rush has often faced "garbage time" scenarios or high-stress environments where the offensive rhythm was already disrupted. Conversely, in games where he started (most notably in 2021 and 2022), his efficiency improved. His first career start in 2021 against the Minnesota Vikings—where he threw for 325 yards and 2 touchdowns—remains one of the highest-rated single-game performances for a backup quarterback making a debut in franchise history.

Statistical Impact on Team Standings

During his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys, Rush’s statistical consistency directly impacted the team’s win-loss record. Between 2021 and 2022, the Cowboys went 5-1 in games where Rush was the primary passer. This "winning record as a starter" is a rare statistic for backup quarterbacks and remains his most marketable asset as he enters the 2026 free agency period.

The 2024 season, however, saw a decline in this "winning impact," as the team struggled globally with injuries and defensive regression. While Rush's individual stats (1,844 yards) were at a career high, the team efficiency did not match his 2022 output.

Summary of Professional Trajectory

Cooper Rush's career is a testament to the value of statistical reliability in a secondary role. From an undrafted free agent in 2017 to a 3,000-yard career passer by 2025, he has maximized his opportunities within two of the NFL's most scrutinized offenses. As a free agent in 2026, his resume provides a clear data set for teams: a high-floor veteran who can manage an offense, protect the ball reasonably well, and deliver wins in short-term relief.

Key Takeaways

  • Total Career Yards: 3,766 passing yards.
  • Efficiency: 61.1% completion rate over 596 attempts.
  • Peak Volume: 2024 (1,844 yards, 12 TDs).
  • Winning Legacy: Established a 5-1 record as a starter between 2021-2022.
  • Current Status: Unrestricted free agent as of March 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Cooper Rush's career NFL stats?

As of the end of the 2025 season, Cooper Rush has played in 42 games, completing 364 of 596 passes (61.1%) for 3,766 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He has a career passer rating of 80.7.

What team does Cooper Rush play for in 2026?

Cooper Rush is currently an unrestricted free agent. He was released by the Baltimore Ravens on March 12, 2026, and is available to sign with any NFL team.

How many wins does Cooper Rush have as a starter?

Cooper Rush gained significant recognition for winning his first five career starts with the Dallas Cowboys. His most successful stretch was in 2022, where he led the team to a 4-1 record during a five-game starting stint.

What were Cooper Rush's stats at Central Michigan?

Rush was a prolific collegiate passer, throwing for 12,894 yards and 90 touchdowns over 50 games. He set the school record for single-season passing yards in 2015 with 3,848 yards.

What is Cooper Rush's height and weight?

Cooper Rush stands 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) tall and weighs approximately 225 pounds (102 kg).