Just minutes after it was announced, the highly anticipated trade between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys to send veteran quarterback Cooper Rush to Arizona has abruptly fallen through. Due to last-minute legal issues, the trade—which was supposed to strengthen the Cardinals’ quarterback room—was canceled, disrupting both clubs’ summer preparations.
The Transaction That Was
Earlier in the day, the deal had been in principle finalized. Cooper Rush, a dependable Dak Prescott backup, would have been traded to the Arizona Cardinals in return for a conditional late-round draft selection. Rush was considered by the Cardinals as a possible backup and coach for their young quarterbacks, as they sought to build depth behind their leading quarterback, Kyler Murray.
The Cowboys had been aggressively seeking improvements to their defense and special teams groups, so the deal would have given them some financial money and roster space for other needs. Given the Cowboys’ depth at quarterback, Rush, a seasoned player who had shown he could fill in when Prescott was down, looked like a sensible addition.
However, an unforeseen legal problem caused the transfer to be canceled shortly before it was scheduled to be formally disclosed.
The Legal Obstacle at the Last Minute
Sources close to both clubs claim that the deal fell through when the legal staff for the Arizona Cardinals pointed up a provision in Cooper Rush’s contract that had not been discussed in previous talks. Rush’s contract structure and possible injury guarantees were the subject of the provision, which created a problem neither team had foreseen.
Rush had an injury protection clause in his contract that would result in more money if he were dealt to another club. Rush had signed a one-year agreement with the Cowboys before the 2024 season. The Cardinals would have been financially burdened by the condition, which both teams had disregarded, rendering the transaction financially unsustainable in its current configuration.
When this problem arose, we were taken aback, according to a person close to the Cowboys’ front office. We had assumed that the terms of the deal were unambiguous. Regretfully, a legal blunder stopped it from proceeding.
The issue caused a delay in the trade’s completion, and following hours of deliberation between legal teams, both parties decided to abandon the transaction rather than attempt a hasty contract amendment.
Responses from Both Groups
Both parties were dissatisfied when the transaction was canceled. In the hopes that it would free up roster space and enable them to address other areas, the Cowboys had been getting ready for Rush’s departure. Dallas had wanted to release Rush and give younger quarterbacks like Will Grier more playing time, but now they will have to decide whether to keep him on the roster.
“This offseason, we wanted to make moves that would benefit our team,” Cowboys general manager Jerry Jones stated. “We regret that the transaction did not proceed, but we honor the Cardinals’ choice to put legal and financial certainty first. We’ll proceed with our current roster and make any necessary changes.
The Cardinals’ quarterback preparations have been severely harmed by the cancelation. In the wake of Kyler Murray’s ACL injury recovery and concerns about his long-term health, Arizona had anticipated that bringing in a veteran like Rush would provide them much-needed stability. Now that the deal is off the table, the Cardinals must change course and look at other ways to strengthen their quarterback depth, such as possible free-agent signings or possibly additional moves.
According to an Arizona Cardinals insider, “We were thrilled about bringing in Cooper, but we have to prioritize the franchise’s future and make sure all contractual and legal terms are fully aligned.” “We’ll continue with our offseason plans and look into other options to deal with our quarterback situation.”
The Repercussions
Both clubs’ summer preparations have been disrupted by the legal issues surrounding Cooper Rush’s contract, but the main concern today is what will happen to the quarterback and both franchises.
Rush will stay with the Cowboys for the foreseeable future as a result of the deal being canceled. It’s uncertain, though, if Rush will be a part of Dallas’ long-term plans given their choice to stick with Prescott as their starter. If the Cowboys decide that Rush is no longer needed, they may look into other trade options or even cut him.
The Cardinals, on the other hand, are starting over in their search for a trustworthy backup to Kyler Murray. Although some have conjectured that Arizona would pursue free-agent quarterbacks or reopen trade negotiations with other teams, the setback’s timing might restrict their short-term alternatives.
Gazing Ahead
The Cowboys and Cardinals will need to act swiftly to meet their requirements in the offseason now that the Cooper Rush trade agreement is officially dead. The Cardinals will probably have to completely reevaluate their backup quarterback position, while the Cowboys will probably try to acquire another quarterback to the roster to develop behind Prescott.
Fans may anticipate additional movements in the upcoming weeks, even though this deal may have fallen through. The two clubs still have a lot of work to do this offseason.
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