Cooper Rush’s Preseason Debacle with the Ravens – Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Well, if first impressions matter, then Cooper Rush’s preseason debut for the Ravens will be one he’d likely want us all to forget. First drive. First pass. Bam! Picked off. Talk about a brutal audition. The entire debacle unfolded in an all-too-predictable fashion as he stared down the receiver longer than you stare at the microwave during lunch breaks. And Alex Johnson, the Colts cornerback, said, “Thanks, I’ll take that!” Honestly, it gave “instant replay” a whole new meaning.

Rush, stepping in as a celebrated signing from the Cowboys, was supposed to bring some steady backup play behind Lamar Jackson. Instead, his debut for the Ravens kicked off with what can only be described as a catastrophic confidence wrecker. Imagine showing up for a new job, and the moment you open your mouth, it’s the verbal equivalent of tripping over yourself. That’s what this looked like for Rush.

Why the Ravens Shouldn’t Panic… Yet

Now, before you start cancelling your Ravens season tickets, let’s put it into context. Lamar Jackson hasn’t touched a preseason game since 2021. Why? Because nobody wants to risk the franchise QB on games that mean less than a Twitter war between fans of different QB stats. Backup QBs are tradition in preseason matchups, but it doesn’t mean Cooper or Co. are leading the offense into Week 1. It’s a litmus test, nothing more.

The rookie mistakes of Cooper and backup Devin Leary (because, yes, he threw a pick too) serve as glaring reminders about how unforgiving the NFL can be. The passer rating combined for both quarterbacks during the game was 28.1. For perspective, a QB spiking the ball on every play gets a 39.6 passer rating. That’s… not great. But preseason games aren’t where we crown heroes; they’re where we weed out the weak links. Or, in this case, test just how deep the Ravens can dig for optimism.

The Bigger Picture

Here’s the thing about preseason games though; they’re a lab experiment, not a championship stage. Cooper Rush’s failings might’ve stolen the headlines, but what truly shone was the Ravens’ resilience in other areas. Keaton Mitchell’s electrifying 22-yard touchdown sprint and LaJohntay Wester’s jaw-dropping 87-yard punt return? Chef’s kiss.

The Ravens’ defense and special teams proved they can carry some of the burden when the offense falls flat (or, you know, throws things straight into the hands of the opposition). Sure, Lamar Jackson has been known to carry the team on his back, but even superheroes need sidekicks. And this team-wide depth is what may make or break them in the postseason when stakes are sky-high.

What’s Next for Cooper Rush?

Okay, cynicism aside, it’s not all doom and gloom for Cooper. He’s still adjusting to a new system, new teammates, and, evidently, the concept of not throwing interceptions on first downs. It’s preseason for a reason. If Cooper can calm the nerves, lick his wounds, and scrub the bad memories of this debut, he might still prove to be a reliable backup. And who knows, maybe next time we’ll all be talking about that game-saving throw instead of that interception.

Until then, Ravens fans can sleep easy knowing that, as long as Lamar stays healthy, these preseason stumbles will likely remain insignificant footnotes in the franchise’s history.

Final Thoughts

Cooper Rush’s preseason debut with the Ravens? Yeah, that was rough. But if you’re freaking out over a preseason interception, take a deep breath. The Ravens showed enough guts (and some spectacular individual plays) to give fans hope. The true concern for Baltimore isn’t what happens during these exhibition matchups but how this team comes together for the games that really matter.

Hopefully, Rush doesn’t overthink his next pass, and the Ravens don’t throw him in the deep end too soon. Until then, file this under “could’ve been worse” and look forward to seeing the team clean up their act as the regular season creeps closer.