Case Cookus finally landed an NFL contract. The Northern Arizona alum has gone through injury, a couple of NFL workouts, and now has an opportunity with the Rams. Cookus who originally spent the spring season with the Stars, joins his 5th NFL franchise since joining the NFL in the 2020 as an undrafted free agent.
Cookus was originally drafted by the Stars with the intention to be the back-up to Bryan Scott. After Scott was injured during the Stars Week 3 match up vs the Generals, Cookus was thrusted into the starting role, leading the Stars to the USFL Championship and a Northern Division title.
During Cookus’s time as the starter the Stars went 5-2 enroute to the USFL’s championship game. The 27-Year-Old, would throw for 1,334 yards for 12 TDs and 5 Ints, with a 62.5 completion percentage. Cookus also provided a spark in the rushing attack adding 217 yards on the ground including a 79-yard rushing touchdown during the Stars Week 8 win over the Michigan Panthers enroute to the USFL Week 8 Offensive Player of the week.
As we all know the fairy tale ending for the Stars and Cookus would fall short in the Stars championship game, despite a valiant performance, Cookus would break a bone in his leg and leave the game while the Stars were up 23-20 against the Stallions. To add even more frustration, Cookus’ injury came just days before his wedding, as he would “walk” down the aisle on a scooter. With his injury healed Cookus joins a Rams quarterback room that has bitten by the injury bug with Matt Stafford, and former AAF QB John Wolford both nursing head/neck injuries.
With Stafford officially ruled out, and Wolford looking to be inactive for a second straight week, it appears that Cookus, who was just signed on the 23rd, will be active to back up Bryce Perkins the Rams 3rd string Quarterback whose been with the team since 2020. Though Perkins has been with the team for three seasons it wasn’t until the past two weeks, in which Perkins has made spot appearances for Wolford and Stafford. With the recent string of injuries to Rams Quarterbacks it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities for Cookus to appear in Sunday’s game, especially that he’ll most likely be active for the Rams this weekend.
As many remember the Rams signed former Generals QB Luis Perez during training camp 2022. Perez would be released by the Rams in the middle of August and has recently been drafted by the Vegas Vipers of the XFL. For the Rams to go to Cookus over Perez who has had two stints in Sean McVay’s (2018 and 2022), speaks volumes of what the Rams must have thought of Cookus if needed in an emergency opportunity.
For Cookus the journey to the NFL is nothing short but amazing. After throwing for over 12,607 Yards and 105 Touchdowns at Northern Arizona, Cookus’ has fought hard for this opportunity to be on an NFL roster. After Four NFL teams, A stint in the CFL with the Elks, and then leading a championship run for the USFL’s Stars, it appears for the first time in his career Case Cookus will be dressing for an NFL with an opportunity make an impact. Cookus now becomes the 56th USFL player to garner an NFL contract and is one of Twenty-One former USFL players currently on an NFL roster.
