The New York Giants have released Canadian quarterback, according to head coach Brian Daboll.
Rourke was claimed off waivers by the Giants on May 7. His addition was praised by Daboll at the time and the 26-year-old drew positive reviews from assistant general manager Brandon Brown during organized team activities.
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 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 teams, the dual-threat passer dressed for 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.
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, stating the Lions organization “felt like family” and that he would “love to return.”
