Cooper Rush has had a wild ride in 2026

Published September 13, 2026 11:20 AM Cooper Rush has had a wild ride in 2026. The latest chapter comes today, when he starts the Falcons’ Week 1 game in Pittsburgh.Rush, who has made 16 career starts, went 0-2 last year in Baltimore while replacing Lamar Jackson. The Ravens turned to Tyler Huntley for the remainder of Jackson’s absence due to injury.After the season, the Ravens released Rush. He found no takers in free agency, culminating in an invitation to participate in the Vikings’ rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. (He was not offered a spot on the 90-man roster.)Rush remained available until July 29. The Falcons signed him in advance of the first practice of training camp, after Tua Tagovailoa developed a back problem — and after jettisoning veteran Trevor Siemian.Now, less than seven weeks after being signed and barely four months after throwing passes for a weekend with wet-behind-the-ears rookies in Minnesota, Rush will be the Falcons’ QB1 for Week 1.Despite last year’s issues in Baltimore, Rush has a 9-7 record as a starter. A tenth career victory would be among his most memorable, given the journey he has made in 2026.