Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke may be in tough to see meaningful minutes with the New York Giants this preseason.
“He’s the fourth guy so he’ll get limited reps, take advantage of the ones that he can get,” head coach Brian Daboll told the media during the second day of training camp.
“He did a good job in OTAs, he’s picking up the system. It’s always hard for that fourth quarterback relative to the reps they’re going to get because the other three are going to get more. But good young man, studies hard, did a nice job in OTAs. We’ll just try to keep developing him.”
Rourke was claimed off waivers by the Giants on May 7, becoming the fourth quarterback on the roster behind Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy Devito — all of whom have previously started games in the NFL. His addition was praised by Daboll at the time and the 26-year-old went on to draw positive reviews from assistant general manager Brandon Brown during organized team activities, though that has not yet translated into meaningful reps.
With Jones entering a make-or-break year with the organization, the hope was that Rourke could contend with fellow undrafted pivot Devito for the third quarterback role and position himself to capitalize on a potential transition. However, TSN insider Dave Naylor reported on Thursday that the Canadian had received zero reps in team periods through two days of camp.
Rourke finished the 2023 season with the New England Patriots and dressed for the final three games. He served as the primary backup for the team’s regular-season finale but was waived after New England selected two quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft, including first-rounder Drake Maye.
The six-foot-two, 209-pound QB began the year with the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 65.7 percent of his passes for 348 yards with one touchdown and zero interceptions in three preseason games while running the ball 14 times for 39 yards and one major. However, the team refused to subject veteran backup C.J. Beathard to an open competition and Rourke moved to the team’s practice roster after training camp, earning activation for three regular-season games before being claimed off waivers by the Patriots.
Between the two clubs, the dual-threat passer appeared in six games and earned $519,668 USD in his first NFL season.
During the 2022 CFL season, Rourke completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 3,349 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while starting for the B.C. Lions. He ran 39 times for 304 yards (7.8 per carry) and seven touchdowns during 10 regular season games, including nine starts. The Ohio University graduate was named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian despite missing half the season with a Lisfranc injury.
The Giants were one of 12 teams to host the native of Oakville, Ont. for a workout in January 2023 prior to his signing with the Jaguars. In May 2021, he was invited to the G-Men’s rookie mini-camp as a receiver, though the team was under different management at that time.
The early returns seem to suggest that Rourke is viewed no more seriously this time, despite New York’s lack of a proven difference-maker at the quarterback position. While the young Canadian remains focused on defying the odds and making it in the NFL, he recently opened up about a potential comeback in the CFL while attending B.C.’s Week 6 win over Saskatchewan, saying that the Lions organization “felt like family” and that he would “love to return.”
The Giants will play their first preseason game on Thursday, August 8 when they host the Detroit Lions at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
