Oct 26, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush (15) warms up earlier than the sport towards the Chicago Bears at M&T Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Photographs
The Minnesota Vikings hosted a bunch of rookies eventually week’s rookie minicamp at TCO Efficiency Middle. As they neither drafted nor signed any first-year quarterbacks, a few tryouts had been on the sphere to toss the rock to the younger receiving group.
A type of was undrafted rookie Aidan Bouman, son of ex-Vikings passer Todd Bouman. The South Dakota quarterback is an extended shot to make a reputation for himself within the NFL. Somebody who has already performed that’s veteran Cooper Rush, who was surprisingly a part of Minnesota’s rookie minicamp on a tryout foundation.
An extended-term backup within the league, Rush stays with out a staff. The Vikings don’t significantly want one other signal-caller within the constructing, with 4 already beneath contract, nevertheless it’s nonetheless good to have a foot within the door in case of an emergency later within the offseason or throughout the 2026 season.
Aug 16, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Cooper Rush (15) throws the ball throughout the recreation between the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens at AT&T Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Photographs
Head coach Kevin O’Connell needed to depend on QB4 in 2023 and on QB3 in 2025,
The skipper advised the media, “It’s almost like a free agent visit. He gets to know us; we get to know him. He’s played a lot of football over the years in the National Football League and had very productive times in his journey, and we get him for our time here.”
Rush has appeared in 42 profession video games with 16 begins. In actual fact, his very first NFL begin got here on Halloween in 2021 when he lit up Mike Zimmer’s protection with 325 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-16 Cowboys victory.
“I told him there’s nothing that ever can come out of this from a negative standpoint, getting to step on the grass and put on a Vikings helmet,” O’Connell added. “We now know Cooper; he knows a very, very small portion of some of the things we do offensively, but I think it can open up that world to him if there’s an opportunity in the future, he can make that a very positive situation for himself and become our first phone call. So I thought it was a real positive thing.”
Oct 31, 2021; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush (10) and Minnesota Vikings defensive sort out Dalvin Tomlinson (94) in motion at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
Rush, 32, performed his faculty ball at Central Michigan, threatening college information with almost 13,000 passing yards and 90 touchdowns. He went undrafted in 2017 and the Cowboys added him to their offseason roster. In three seasons with the Cowboys, he tried three passes and was principally a depth participant behind Dak Prescott.
After a couple of months with the division rival Giants in 2020, Rush returned to the follow squad. This time, Prescott’s damage struggles opened the door for him to get some enjoying time. Final 12 months, Rush performed for the Baltimore Ravens. Sadly, he couldn’t replicate the stable backup-caliber play he delivered in Dallas, recording 4 interceptions and 0 touchdowns in a few begins.
Regardless of his subpar play in 2025, it’s fairly stunning to see the skilled passer with out a job in Could. In 38 video games and 14 begins in Dallas, he registered 20 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, leading to a 9-5 file.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throws a go to working again James Conner throughout first-half motion towards the Seattle Seahawks at State Farm Stadium, Jan 7, 2024, in Glendale. Murray operates the offense with fast reads as Arizona faces a division rival in a late-season matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports activities
Kyler Murray is anticipated to begin for the Vikings in 2026, however J.J. McCarthy desires to defend his beginning gig. A contest might unfold over the subsequent few months. Even behind these contestants, the franchise has emphasised quarterback depth, with veteran Carson Wentz returning for a second season. Max Brosmer, final 12 months’s undrafted rookie, may gain advantage from one other full offseason.
If the Vikings are once more hit by the damage plague, Rush might make some headlines later this 12 months. For now, he heads again to the free company pool and awaits calls from NFL groups.
Editor’s Be aware: Data from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports activities Reference helped with this text.
Janik Eckardt is a German sports activities nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He selected the Vikings to be his … Extra about Janik Eckardt
