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Is Signing QB Cooper Rush A Jerry Jones Priority in Free Agency?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Dec 29, 2024 11:08 AM ET

The Dallas Cowboys' playoff hopes have been in tatters for months, but they were only officially eliminated from contention in Week 16, yet Mike McCarthy's team isn't waving the white flag.

They have won four of their last five, which shows that this team still has fight, and the pride each player feels to go out and put their best foot forward has been the catalyst for the late-season turnaround.

While there's nothing to play for, quarterback Cooper Rush has detailed what has made the locker room remain steadfast in its approach to fight tooth and nail to finish the season off the right way.

“Obviously, our goal is different, but I think people feel blessed to go out there and still get to play, still get to play together, to go out there as a team and show who you are," Rush said. "There's a bunch of guys out there want to show who they are on both sides of the ball, and that's what we're doing.”

Sitting at 7-8, the Cowboys have managed to cover up some of the gaping cracks that were appearing in the foundation a few months ago. Finishing the season off with another win or two will give the roster confidence heading into the offseason.

Although the majority of the roster is out of contract, so there will be sweeping changes this offseason, the willingness not to let this season end with a whimper is a powerful force.

Oh, and about those contracts, as about 25 guys can hit free agency ...

"We want them back,'' said COO Stephen Jones of a group led by Rush, defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa, running back Rico Dowdle, cornerback Jourdan Lewis and pass rusher Chauncey Golston. "They’ve shown that they are Dallas Cowboys football players," Jones said. "They’re certainly guys we want to have back, it’s just making all the calculus work when it comes to fitting everybody under the salary cap.”

Oh, Stephen ... we can "make the calculus work.'' Watch us here!

There's a togetherness to this locker room, and with the Philadelphia Eagles up next, the Cowboys can play the role of villain and ruin their NFC East rivals' chances of the No. 1 seed.

That, coupled with personal pride - oh, and budding free agency - is a powerful motivator.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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