Even in the midst of quite a bit of turmoil after backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade, it remains business as usual for the Baltimore Ravens under GM Eric DeCosta.
That business includes releasing backup quarterback Cooper Rush one year after signing him to a two-year deal in free agency to back up Lamar Jackson.
According to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, the Ravens released Rush Thursday morning.
The Ravens have released QB Cooper Rush.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 12, 2026
That move by Baltimore adds another experienced quarterback to the open market, and one that has direct ties to Pittsburgh Steelers’ first-year head coach Mike McCarthy.
Rush signed a two-year, $12.2 million deal last March with the Ravens, giving Baltimore an experienced, athletic backup quarterback for Jackson under then-head coach John Harbaugh. Rush was believed to be a good fit for former offensive coordinator Todd Monken’s scheme, too. But when Jackson went down with an injury early in the year, Rush struggled.
The veteran appeared in just four games for Baltimore, starting two games and going 0-2 in those starts. He threw for just 303 yards and had four interceptions before being benched, giving way to Snoop Huntley in the end.
Baltimore recently re-signed Huntley to a two-year, $11 million deal, securing Jackson’s backup, ultimately putting Rush out of a job.
He’s an intriguing name to hit the market at quarterback, particularly due to his ties to McCarthy, and the need that remains at quarterback for the Steelers.
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