The free agency tour has continued for Canadian Football League quarterback Nathan Rourke. The 24-year-old’s BC Lions were knocked out of the CFL playoffs a little over a month ago and Rourke has been in communication with NFL teams ever since.
Rourke played three years of college ball at Ohio after transferring from Fort Scott Community College. As a starter for all three years, Rourke was one of the country’s most electric dual-threat quarterbacks. He improved each year as a passer, finishing with a career total of 7,457 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. His consistency as a runner was uncanny. In 2017, 2018, and 2019, Rourke ran the ball 137, 134, and 154 times, respectively, for 912, 860, and 867 yards, respectively. Over the three seasons he ran for 2,034 yards and 49 touchdowns. That’s 9,511 yards of total offense and 111 total touchdowns, when you include the two receiving touchdowns he had as a Bobcat.
Rourke went undrafted by the NFL but was the highest drafted quarterback for the CFL in almost 20 years. A rough first season in British Columbia saw Rourke serve mainly as a backup, only starting two games, and making some mistakes early in his career. He only threw three touchdowns to five interceptions, although he was able to add five touchdowns on the ground, as well. In his second year with the team, during the league’s 2022 season, Rourke became a full-time starter. In nine starts, Rourke completed 78.7% of his passes for 3,349 yards while throwing 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. He also added 304 yards and seven touchdowns with his legs.
Rourke’s initial few visits following his CFL playoff exit saw him meet with Las Vegas, Jacksonville, and Denver. Since then, Rourke has continued his tour. On Monday of this week, Rourke worked out with the Vikings, according to Justin Dunk of 3downnation.com, and followed that up with a Tuesday work out with the Cardinals. Additionally, Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 reported a workout with the Chargers.
This continues a trend from his first few visits. All the teams that Rourke has visited are fairly settled in with starting quarterbacks. Besides the Vikings, all the other teams are even in relatively young deals with their starting quarterbacks. This seems to insinuate that teams are looking at Rourke primarily in a backup role. Given the recent success of XFL quarterbacks who went from backups to eventual starters, like Commanders quarterback Taylor Heinicke and Panthers quarterback P.J. Walker, Rourke could be in search of a perfect fit that could set him up for success in the future.
This could open the door for teams in the league to continue looking for players at positions as important as quarterback outside of the traditional talent pools of the college draft and free agency. Regardless, the intrigue created by Rourke remains as teams continue to kick the tires of the mobile, young quarterback.
He should try out for the Jets or Commanders.
Vikings have some history with CFL QBs aside from Warren Moon.
Joe Kapp came down from the CFL to join HC Bud Grant who had won 4 CFL championships in Winnipeg. The Vikes have a very strong fan base north of the border.
Starting for the Jets next week.
There are so many teams that could use an upgrade at QB right now.
100%. And most of the ones that do don’t have the resources to make a move for one.
That’s why bringing in a guy from the CFL rather than drafting a rookie in the first round or bringing in a vet could be a great move.
He is Canadian born and the CFL has not had a starting QB since the 1970’s I think… But things change, for example the NBA is now filled with top Canadian players.