Cooper Rush might not have much trade value, but he did come through for the Cowboys in 2022. He made five starts as the backup two years ago going 4-1 and throwing five touchdowns to thee interceptions.

It isn’t like he set the league on fire, but he came in, operated the offense and won some games. That’s the job of a backup NFL quarterback.

Unfortunately for him, the Cowboys took advantage of Trey Lance being made available on the trade market. They traded a 2024 fourth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for the former No. 3 overall pick.

They ended up carrying Lance and Cooper Rush on the active roster. With the new rule that NFL teams can carry a third emergency quarterback without using a 53-man roster spots, it’s a little easier to hang on to developmental options.

But the Cowboys can save $2.3 million against the cap by either trading or releasing Rush.

Given how tight the Cowboys budget is right now, it just doesn’t make sense to pass on that kind of cap savings when Lance has now been around for a year to learn the offense and step in if Prescott is injured.