Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke is relishing his unexpected opportunity to learn the Patriot Way and admires the storied franchise.
“I’m honoured. It’s a great organization,” the 25-year-old said. “I’ve got a lot of respect for this league and a lot of respect for Coach Belichick and Coach O’Brien. It’s been pretty cool to be here so far.”
The six-foot-one, 210-pound QB spent the majority of his first NFL season on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad, twice signed to the 53-man roster as an emergency third quarterback but never saw game action. Despite clearing waivers on two separate occasions earlier this season, once following training camp and again in Week 8, the Victoria-born, Oakville-raised Rourke was claimed by the Patriots after being put on waivers in Week 15.
He finds himself playing for six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach Bill Belichick. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien is a respected football mind in his own right having spent seven seasons as head coach of the Houston Texans before running the offence for the University of Alabama Crimson Tide in 2021 and 2022.
With NFL rules dictating that Rourke must remain on the active roster for the remainder of this season, he’s tasked with learning New England’s highly specific system as fast as possible to maximize his opportunity.
“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. A lot of information, a lot of new faces, a lot of new people but it’s been good so far,” he said.
“I have been equating it to learning a new language because I recognize a lot of what they’re doing here from previous offences and what we did in Jacksonville, what they call it and how they operate, it’s different. I have to do a really good job studying, learning and doing whatever I can to get caught up in the next couple of weeks.”
“Football is football to a certain extent but just learning the language this far into it has been difficult. But, no, I don’t put it past myself to be able to pick it up. I’m doing my best and the guys are supporting me as best as possible.”
If Rourke can get up to speed, there is an outside chance to see playing time before the end of the season. The Patriots have a 3-11 record and are eliminated from the playoffs due in large part to poor quarterback play. 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones has thrown 12 interceptions compared to 10 touchdowns while posting a 2-9 mark as a starter, second-year man Bailey Zappe has gone 1-2 with four touchdowns and four interceptions.
“Those guys have got a good handle on things. It’s been great to talk to them, [Zappe] and Mac, and try to get a sense of where they’re at,” he said. “But I think they also get the sense that we all love football, which is cool to be in the same rooms as people like that.”
Though he will initially serve as vital depth for the quarterback room, the Patriots clearly like the experience Rourke brings. Belichick pointed to the Canadian’s high level of production in the preseason and the CFL as to why the team put in a claim.
“You’re definitely considered a rookie but I don’t really feel like one because of the time that I spent in B.C. learning from the vets there and learning how to be a pro,’ Rourke told ESPN reporter Mike Reiss. “Adjusting to a playbook quickly, I’ve certainly been in that situation before. Certainly not at this level but in some capacity before, so I feel like that’s a big advantage.”
While in the CFL, he threw for 3,349 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a member of the B.C. Lions in 2022. He ran for 304 yards and seven touchdowns over 10 regular season games. The Ohio University graduate won the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian award despite missing half the season with a Lisfranc sprain.
Rourke signed with the Jaguars this offseason after an extensive NFL workout tour. During three preseason games, he completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 348 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions while rushing 14 times for 39 yards and one touchdown, but did not make the team’s initial 53-man active roster.
After so much time spent on the practice roster, Rourke admitted that landing in New England with three weeks remaining in the season came as something of a surprise.
“A little bit but that’s how things work. I think being a part of the league, people leave and find new places all the time and this is going to be part of it,” he said. “The role that I was in, you knew it was possible so definitely a little bit surprised, but I’m glad it happened. I’m excited for this opportunity.”
The Patriots (3-11) next play on Sunday, December 24 when New England visits the Denver Broncos (7-7) at 8:15 p.m. ET.
