Not only has Atlanta Falcons quarterback Cooper Rush been the unquestioned worst starter in the league at his position through the first two games of the 2026 season (both losses), but he's been so bad that he might serve as a roadblock for other veteran quarterbacks in his situation finding work.
Rush, who was benched in Week 2 for UDFA Jack Strand, has thrown one touchdown against four interceptions and has yet to lead Atlanta to the red zone. The former undrafted Central Michigan standout has been in the league for nine years with three teams, mostly based on his supposed ability to "pick up an offense quickly."
What good is having a great football brain if Rush lacks the talent to implement what he knows on the field? Many other veteran quarterbacks around the league who have used knowledge and guile to land QB3 jobs in the past may be on thin ice, as teams around the league may see what Rush has done in Atlanta and shy away from that archetype.
Atlanta Falcons QB Cooper Rush is so bad other veteran QBs may pay the price
Rush has never been a great NFL quarterback. In essentially the same offense that has Dak Prescott looking like a fringe MVP, Rush reached the dizzying heights of basically OK (4-4 record, 12 TD, 5 INT in 2023). Rush has started four games over the last two years between the Falcons and Baltimore Ravens, and he has been inoperably bad.
Rush has lost all four of his starts while throwing one touchdown against a whopping eight interceptions. Rush always has a below-average arm for NFL standards, but it's regressed to the point where he has no zip on the ball. As the kids nowadays say, Rush is throwing meatball subs over the middle of the field.
While the Falcons obviously didn't expect Rush to play due to Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr's injuries, it is so clear from how Kevin Stefanski and Tommy Rees are calling games that they don't trust Rush to operate the full playbook. Any claim of veteran stability and an installation of comfort goes out the window when completing a 10-yard out-route to London is completely off the table.
The Atlanta Falcons could have added Will Levis instead of starting Cooper Rush
Consider a free agent quarterback like Will Levis, who may not be as cerebral as Rush from a football perspective, yet is in another galaxy as far as arm talent is concerned. Obviously, digesting a playbook is important, but with how limited Rush's physical tools are, there is an inability to implement coaching.
Levis may not be as quick a study as Rush, but he can get the ball to London and Kyle Pitts in a way that Rush isn't even attempting. While it may be unfair to paint Rush as the avatar for this entire cottage industry of veterans who bounce between teams as healthy scratches/psuedo QB coaches, his play isn't painting them in a very good light.
If a wide receiver knew his full route tree but couldn't get open, would he be on the roster? How about an offensive lineman who knew how to best attack opposing defenders but got bowled over on every snap? Rush, meanwhile, was elevated to a starting role, and he could get a third crack at it on Thursday Night Football.
Using a roster spot on a quarterback who knows ball may sound fine in theory, but when they have to play, players like Rush simply don't have the physical tools needed to run an NFL offense. Rush may find it difficult to land an NFL job after this stint, and others with his style may follow suit.
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