Stephen Jones reveals Cowboys’ updated draft plans following Cooper Rush’s departure

Cowboys COO announced that they are thinking about drafting a rookie quarterback after former backup Cooper Rush went with the Ravens.

Stephen Jones reveals Cowboys’ updated draft plans following Cooper Rush’s departure

Cooper Rush signs with the Ravens leaving Cowboys looking for a new backup for Dak Prescott (Image via IMAGO)

Stephen Jones will have a tough job in the upcoming draft of picking out a suitable new backup for Dak Prescott after the team opted against re-signing Cooper Rush. The 31-year-old signed with the Baltimore Ravens and is set to back up two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.

The Cowboys were ready to lose Rush after he became a free agent, but there was also the possibility of his return. His move to the Ravens created extra work for Jones and the Cowboys as they needed to search for a new backup.

YouTube video

We will evaluate the whole situation. You’re always wanting to have a young guy coming; there’s always a preference, and certainly that’s something we’ll look at in the draft is to see if there’s a young guy to start bringing along.

Stephen Jones said as per Ian Rapoport on X

Rush, a longtime servant of the Cowboys, signed a two-year extension in 2023. Trey Lance was brought in from the 49ers to provide competition for the QB2 position, which the former Central Michigan man won.

FS Video

In 2024, Rush took over the mantle of the starter after Prescott injured himself in week 9. Rush started eight games with Lance as the backup, ending the campaign with a 4-4 record. He completed 187 passes for 1844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions.

Cooper Rush agreed to a 2-year contract worth up to $12.2 million with the Ravens.

What can Stephen Jones do in the draft to replace Cooper Rush?

The Cowboys hold the 12th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft after finishing with a 7-10 record last season. According to Mike Poland of Blogging the Boys‘ latest mock draft, the Cowboys might look to answer their QB2 issue by taking Arizona’s receiver Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan is arguably the best receiver in the draft this year. If he stays until the twelfth pick, then the Cowboys might prefer taking him over someone else.

Stephen Jones reveals Cowboys updated draft plans following Cooper Rush's departure
Cooper Rush (Image via IMAGO)

The Cowboys rarely draft a quarterback. Troy Aikman was the last QB Jones drafted first overall back in 1989.

So, the solution is taking one in the second round or third round. Former NFL QB Chase Daniel suggested that the Cowboys should draft either Jalen Milroe or Kyle McCord.

Milroe is a freakish athlete with great arm strength. He has shown glimpses of elite mentality from time to time. ESPN’s draft analyst Matt Miller on NFL Live claimed the former Alabama QB is a great fit for the Cowboys.

I think Alabama’s Jalen Milroe would fit what they have looked for… Milroe is going to give you a lot of the same things that Lance did, a good arm but he is also a dynamic runner, scouts have said he could run in the low 4.4s.

Matt Miller said

Miller described Milroe as a more mobile Prescott, similar to his college days in Mississippi. McCord, on the other hand, would be a much safer option. He lacks the arm talent like Milroe but reads the game very well and has the vision to make plays. McCord can easily slot behind Prescott for a few seasons and learn the Xs and Os of the NFL.

How about giving Will Grier a chance?

If Jones doesn’t have plans of re-signing Lance, then perhaps allowing Will Grier to back Prescott might prove to be the cheapest option available besides drafting a quarterback. Veteran NFL journalist Ed Werder threw Grier’s name in the hat after Rush’s departure to the Ravens.

The Cowboys will be choosing between Will Grier and potentially a quarterback they draft as the backup to Dak Prescott, who has missed the majority of games twice in the last five seasons.

Ed Werder wrote on X

Grier signed with the Cowboys in 2021 and was cut in 2023. The Cowboys added him to the practice squad after he spent time with the Bengals, Patriots, Chargers, and Eagles.

The Cowboys found themselves in the lower echelons of the salary cap situation after giving Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb mouthwatering deals. After the Super Bowl, Jones negotiated restructures to their initial contract, ending up with just over $57 million in the bank.

They still have to pay Micah Parsons or risk losing him in the future. But sorting out the quarterback position takes precedence.

Related: Myles Garrett’s simple yet convincing pitch to Russell Wilson on joining Browns