Ravens Land 'NFL's Best Backup Quarterback' in Cooper Rush
According to multiple reports, the Ravens have agreed to terms with Cooper Rush on a two-year deal, $6.2 million deal with $4.2 million guaranteed.
Many pundits view the move as a positive, including known Dallas Cowboys fan and media personality Skip Bayless.
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec notes the move is uncommon for the Ravens.
"The Ravens have typically not spent notable money on filling the backup quarterback position, both recently behind Lamar Jackson and going back further behind Joe Flacco," Zrebiec wrote. "However, Rush, a former Dak Prescott backup in Dallas, gets a nice deal that could be worth as much as $12.2 million if he gets incentives based on play time, starts and wins. … Rush replaces Josh Johnson as Jackson's primary backup."
The Ravens signed Rush while likely not impacting their compensatory pick formula, which would have sacrificed a predicted fifth-round compensatory pick for the loss of cornerback Brandon Stephens or offensive lineman Patrick Mekari.
Ravens Named a 'Team with Most Work to Do in 2025 NFL Draft'
While the Ravens have been given positive marks for their moves in free agency, Bleacher Report’s Brad Gagnon believes the Ravens have a lot riding on their 2025 NFL Draft class. Gagnon listed the Ravens as the No. 2 team in a ranking of "Teams with most work to do in 2025 NFL Draft."
"Ronnie Stanley is back for the Baltimore Ravens and they have added DeAndre Hopkins, but that otherwise has left them with little room to maneuver as the AFC's elite catches up to them," Gagnon wrote. "Guard Patrick Mekari is gone, as are defenders Brandon Stephens, Malik Harrison and Chris Board. And now, they're pretty much out of salary-cap space while faced with the need for upgrades elsewhere along the offensive line and reinforcements on defense. "
While the Ravens did lose two starters, the offseason was far from an exodus of high-end talent on their roster. The Ravens led the NFL in Pro Bowlers in 2024, and both the offense and defense ranked top 10 in points and yards.
Gagnon expressed concern in the Ravens' draft picks, citing they don't have significant capital.
"The Ravens have just six picks (two compensatory) in the first five rounds and none in the top 25," Gagnon wrote. "If they can't make the most of that with early-impact contributors, they will be faced with an even stiffer challenge from Cincinnati and Pittsburgh in the AFC North in 2025."
While the Ravens don't pick at the top of the draft, they are tied with the San Francisco 49ers for most draft picks (11).
Ravens' Backfield Ranked No. 2 After Early Free Agency Moves
Last season, the Ravens ranked No. 1 in the league in rushing with Derrick Henry surging for over 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns. And after a week of free agency with a few running backs finding new teams, Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton ranked the Ravens' backfield second-best in the NFL, behind the Detroit Lions'.
"The Baltimore Ravens rank near the top because of Henry, who has two rushing titles (2019 and 2020). He's made the AFC Pro Bowl roster in three consecutive terms," Moton wrote. "Last season, the 31-year-old ran for the second-most yards (1,921) and tied two other ball-carriers for a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns. Going into his 10th season, Henry is still running over and through defenders for one of the league's top ground attacks."
While praise is deservedly given to Henry, Moton notes the production from running back Justice Hill, and the impact of both Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken and fullback Patrick Ricard.
"Offensive coordinator Todd Monken has done a good job of developing Hill as a complementary pass-catching running back. In 2024, Hill recorded career highs in catches (42), receiving yards (383) and touchdown receptions (three)," Moton wrote. "The Ravens also have a unique feature in their backfield: They involve their Pro Bowl-All-Pro fullback, Ricard, in the action. Ricard doesn't stuff the stat sheet every week, but he has scored a touchdown in five of the previous six seasons and plays an integral role in the Ravens' run-blocking schemes."
