The New England Patriots are set to re-sign quarterback Nathan Rourke on Friday according to NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero.
Nathan Rourke is six foot one and weighs 210 pounds. The 25-year-old from Victoria, British Columbia, completed 23 of 35 passes (65.7%) for 348 yards, one touchdown, and 14 carries for 39 yards in three preseason games for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Rourke took the NFL by storm in a preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys when he avoided getting sacked before throwing a touchdown.
After the preseason, the Jaguars placed him on the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster twice but did not see any action before the New England Patriots claimed him off waivers on December 18, 2023, where he was a third-string backup behind Bailey Zappe and Mac Jones.
In the 2022 season, Rourke completed 255 of 324 passes (78.7%) for 3,349 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 39 carries for 304 yards, and seven touchdowns in ten games. He missed part of the season due to a foot injury on August 19th.
Rourke returned on October 28, 2022, and led the Lions to defeat the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Semi-Final before the Lions lost in the Western Final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Lions drafted Rourke in the second round (15th pick) in the 2020 CFL Draft. Rourke played two seasons completing 307 of 406 passes (75.6%) for 4,103 yards, 28 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 57 carries for 415 yards, and 12 touchdowns in 23 games.
Collegiately, Rourke played one season at Fort Scott Community College completing 221 of 378 (58.5%) passes for 2,367 yards, 18 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 118 carries for 27 yards, and three touchdowns in 11 games.
Then, Rourke transferred to Ohio for three seasons (2017-19) completing 525 of 894 (58.7%) passes for 7,457 yards, 60 touchdowns, 20 interceptions, 425 carries for 2,639 yards, and 49 touchdowns in 39 games. He is a two-time All-MAC Second-Team (2017-18).
