Dallas Cowboys Roster: Quarterback Cut, Andy Dalton Signed As Dak Prescott's Backup

The Dallas Cowboys have released backup quarterback Cooper Rush. The news comes two days after it was reported that the team agreed to sign free-agent Andy Dalton.

Dalton wasn’t on the open market for long, joining Dallas just a couple of days after he was released by the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati parted ways with the nine-year veteran to pave the way for No.1 overall draft pick Joe Burrow, who is expected to become the Bengals’ starter as a rookie in the 2020 NFL season.

If he hadn’t been cut, Dalton was set to make more than $17 million next season. The Cowboys gave Dalton a one-year contract worth $3 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal has a chance to be worth up to $7 million.

Dalton is set to back up Dak Prescott, giving Dallas a significant upgrade at the No.2 quarterback position. Rush joined the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2017 and only attempted three career passes in three seasons with Dallas.

Dalton has been Cincinnati’s Week 1 starter in all nine of his NFL seasons. The 32-year-old made three Pro Bowls and five playoff appearances, though he never won a postseason game.

Before the Bengals posted a league-worst 2-14 record in 2019, Dalton went 68-50-2 in his regular-season career. The quarterback has a career 87.5 passer rating after throwing for 3,494 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions a season ago.

Dalton will be among the league’s best backups, but he’s no threat to replace Prescott. Dallas’ starter finished second in the NFL with 4,902 passing yards last season. He set career highs with 30 touchdown passes and 8.2 yards per attempt, leading the No.1 ranked offense.

The Cowboys used the franchise tag on Prescott in March to prevent him from reaching free agency. The tag would pay Prescott a one-year, guaranteed contract worth $31.4 million, but the two sides are discussing a long-term contract.

Dallas could end up paying Prescott close to $35 million per season if a new deal is agreed upon.

Prescott has never missed a start since being drafted in 2016, going 40-24 in the regular season. The Cowboys are one of the favorites to win next year’s Super Bowl.