A solution to the Las Vegas Raiders' potential quarterbacking problem might be a super late offseason trade for Dallas Cowboys backup signal-caller Cooper Rush.
The seemingly always cash-strapped Las Vegas Raiders could rectify their Jimmy Garoppolo dilemma by trading for Dallas Cowboys backup quarterback Cooper Rush later this offseason.
When healthy, Garoppolo is a trusted, top-20 quarterback in the league. He plays great football in a timing and rhythm-based offense, one where he examines and targets the middle of the field to regularly move the sticks. The problem is he gets hurt just about every season, which is why the San Francisco 49ers moved on from him this offseason. If he is too beat up to play, then what???
Well, Rush could be available for trade with America's Team, as he has proven to be an excellent stop-gap starter whenever Dak Prescott is unable to go. If Garoppolo can't go, then it will be The Brian Hoyer Show for the Silver and Black. Sounds like that will get canceled midway through its first season. Given that Josh McDaniels cannot afford another awful year, they must make a move.
Let's assess the possibility of the Raiders striking up a deal with the Cowboys for Rush this year.
NFL trade rumors: Is Cowboys Cooper Rush available for trade with Las Vegas Raiders?
I have to be honest here. The idea of getting Rush to Las Vegas is certainly interesting, but I don't think there is enough juice to this to make it work for both parties. Then again, desperation can make anything and everything happen quickly. The fact the Cowboys and Raiders play in opposite conferences certainly helps. However, this would be such an incredibly risky trade for both parties.
For the Raiders, they would have to give up either a quality starting-level player or a future draft pick worth far more than Rush could ever hope to command on the open market. And even if they were to land Rush, who is to say he will be the cure all to what ails them? They are still probably going to be the worst team in the AFC West this year. McDaniels' seat may be getting scalding hot.
As for the Cowboys, this team will only go as far as Prescott will take them, which is the divisional round… While parting ways with Rush could get them that one piece to maybe even think about getting over the top this century, it is not going to be worth it. Rush's greatest value is to be able to win games when Prescott is unable to go. Dallas also plays in an incredibly strong division now.
Overall, the only way this trade happens is if the Raiders are more desperate than Alan, Phil and Stu were to find Doug the day before his wedding. The ceiling isn't the roof when you're living on the roof. As we get sunburnt to a crisp in the sultry, summer sun, let's not make terrible decisions we can never come back from. The Cowboys are smart and the Raiders can't be that dumb, right?
Regardless, Rush is one of the best backups in the league, and he will always carry value with that.
