Big Blue View
The Giants add another QB as their off-season program starts to roll
The New York Giants claimed QB Nathan Rourke off of waivers from the New England Patriots, per a report from NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.
Rourke is a former CFL quarterback who was selected in the second round of the 2020 CFL draft after three years as the quarterback for the Ohio Bobcats in college. He previously tried out for the Giants at wide receiver in their 2021 rookie mini-camp, but didn’t receive a contract offer. Rourke then returned to the Canadian League for the 2021 and 2022 seasons before leaving for the NFL in 2023. He signed a three-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars in January of 2023, and bounced between the Jags’ active roster and practice squad over the course of the season.
Rourke was claimed by the Patriots on December 18th, 2023 and was a back-up QB for the final weeks of the season. He started as their third quarterback, but was elevated to QB2 ahead of Mac Jones for the Patriots’ season finale loss to the Jets.
Rouke has yet to take a snap in an NFL game, but he was productive in the CFL. He completed a record 78.7 percent of his passes for 3,349 yards (10.3 yards per attempt), with 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions while playing for the British Columbia Lions in the CFL. He also ran 39 times for 304 yards (7.8 per attempt) and 7 touchdowns.
As things stand now, Rourke adds another arm to throw to the Giants’ crowded group of potential pass catchers in OTAs and mini-camp. The Giants have a total of 23 wide receivers, tight ends, and running backs on their roster (not counting Darren Waller and Bryce Ford-Wheaton, due to retirement questions and injury, respectively).
As the off-season progresses, and assuming he sticks around, Rourke will compete with Tommy DeVito to be the Giants’ third quarterback behind Daniel Jones and Drew Lock.
