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Cowboys' Cooper Rush won much more than just a game after putting up 292 passing yards in win over Bucs

Originally posted on A to Z Sports
By Mauricio Rodriguez | Last updated Dec 23, 2024 2:20 PM ET

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has had a 2024 NFL season filled with ups and downs.

At times, he's been decent for the team that has bet on him to back up Dak Prescott for years now, even if it means letting former third-overall pick Trey Lance sit on the sidelines. At other times, he's put them in serious jeopardy through fumbles, bad decision-making and poor throws.

But on Sunday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Cowboys got the very best from Rush.

It was intentional, too. Anyone watching the game could've told you what the Cowboys plan was from the start of the game. Head coach Mike McCarthy wanted this to be a Rush game. Despite successful rushing performances from Rico Dowdle, Rush was throwing early and often. Dallas wanted to challenge the Bucs' banged-up secondary and it paid off.

Rush passed for 292 yards and recorded an average per attempt of 8.3 yards, significantly up from his 5.7 mark entering the game. Rush added two big-time throws, per PFF and completed five passes beyond 10 yards. Out of 15 total first downs the Cowboys got, 12 were through passing plays.

Rush's first-quarter touchdown pass to Jalen Tolbert was one of the best plays of his career.

On third and nine out of empty and with pressure on his face, Rush ripped a laser over the middle of the end zone. A perfectly placed ball for Tolbert, who was being covered by a linebacker who had no shot at making the play thanks to the quarterback's accuracy.

talk to 'em tolbert ️@Jalen8Tolbert hauls in the TD!

: #TBvsDAL on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/t0FJdazHxt
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) December 23, 2024

Rush might just parlay his big night into a solid payday next offseason

Rush's strong outing is set to win the Cowboys quarterback more than just a game. You see, he is set to hit free agency in 2025 and with a potential coaching change ahead combined with inconsistent play across the board, there's still a decent chance he'll be testing the market. Last week, I even had Dallas picking a late-round quarterback in my first 2025 Cowboys Mock Draft.

But it's clear the Cowboys like Rush. They have for years now and he's now survived multiple play-caller changes since arriving at Dallas in 2017. He's the front office's kind of guy as much as he is the coaching staff's.

There's a very good chance the Cowboys will remember his game from last night when making a decision on him next year. And with McCarthy's stock rising as well, Rush might still benefit from his knowledge of the team's offense.

Even if the Cowboys decide to not extend him, Rush has done enough to land on his feet elsewhere in the league. Though it's true his arm isn't anything to write home about and the accuracy is inconsistent, there's just not many backups in the league you can be as comfortable with playing games when needed as you can be with Rush.

We'll see what his future looks like moving forward, but Sunday's game should pay dividends for the veteran QB.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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