The NY Giants have already made several moves at the backup QB position. However, could things now change that a quarterback with major ties to the offensive coaching staff just became available?
Not too many people know all that much about former Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush. Well, except for new NY Giants offensive coordinator, Jason Garrett, that is.
The fourth-year quarterback was released Tuesday, shortly after the team shockingly signed veteran QB Andy Dalton.
To make room on their roster for Andy Dalton, the Cowboys waived QB Cooper Rush.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 4, 2020
Rush was initially brought in as a camp arm out of Central Michigan in 2017, but he quickly made an impression on Garrett and ended up working his way up all the way to backup quarterback by the beginning of the season.
Due to Dak Prescott’s ironman like durability, Rush has never really gotten to show his skills on an NFL field, throwing just 3 passes in a mop-up duty assignment in 2017. Still, it says something that Jason Garrett held onto him as his #2 QB for all three years they were together in Dallas.
Garrett has had an eye for undrafted quarterbacks in the past, particularly another one from the midwest that ended up having a pretty solid career. Now, this isn’t to say Rush will ever be anything close to Tony Romo, but it’s surely worth noting that this is the only other quarterback he’s developed from undrafted and into a meaningful role during his tenure.
Now, do the NY Giants still have a need for a backup quarterback? Sorry Colt McCoy and Alex Tanney (not really to Tanney), but the answer to that question is yes; especially in the long-term variety.
No disrespect to undrafted QB Case Cookus, but he’s got a long way to go before we even know if he’s worth keeping around for a preseason game, despite the fact he looks promising for a UDFA.
McCoy has just a one-year deal worth just over $1M guaranteed, and Alex Tanney could (and should) be cut for basically nothing. The room could be cleared out quickly with almost no financial ramifications.
Rush is still just 26-years-old and with the Cowboys’ recent personnel run I’d feel better about having a guy they felt good about being the only QB behind Dak Prescott backing up Daniel Jones.
That might hurt to hear, but it’s true. Even if it isn’t Cooper Rush (I do think he’ll get signed), the NY Giants need to work on getting a long-term backup in here for when the team is an actual playoff threat.
First, Dave Gettleman needs to end his odd love affair with Alex Tanney — good luck with that.