Former Patriots QB Returns to CFL After Failed NFL Stint
The NFL offseason is the time of the year when dreams are made, as players duke it out throughout the summer to earn a 53-man roster spot. Unfortunately, the offseason is also where dreams are crushed. After all, only the best players are worthy of the limited roster spots, leaving a lot of underperformers on the outside looking in.
More NFL dreams will end as we near the 53-man roster deadline, and one former New England Patriots quarterback was the latest player to join that list.
Patriots News: QB Nathan Rourke Returning to CFL
On Tuesday, the Canadian Football League's official X (formerly Twitter) account revealed that ex-Patriots QB Nathan Rourke is returning to the BC Lions. The 26-year-old signal-caller was drafted seventh overall by the Lions in 2020 before playing two seasons with the franchise.
BREAKING: Nathan Rourke will return to the @BCLions, the team announced Tuesday.#CFL pic.twitter.com/RLio5h5M4Y
— CFL (@CFL) August 13, 2024
Rourke began to receive NFL attention during the 2022 CFL season. The former Ohio product was named that year's CFL Most Outstanding Canadian as he threw for 3,349 passing yards with 25 touchdowns to 10 interceptions in 10 starts (9 games).
Several NFL teams worked Rourke out once the CFL season ended, resulting in him ultimately signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Victoria, BC native's stint with the Jaguars didn't last long as he was released 11 months later. He's since spent time with the Patriots and New York Giants before signing with the Atlanta Falcons during training camp.
Rourke's lone preseason appearance with the Falcons was what likely sealed his NFL fate. He only completed 3-of-13 (23.1%) passing attempts against the Miami Dolphins last Friday, finishing with just 37 yards and a 39.6 passer rating.
He was released by the Falcons two days after the loss.
It'll be interesting to see if Rourke's return helps the Lions turn things around. Although they're second in the CFL's West Division with a 5-4 record, they're also on a three-game losing streak while starting QB Vernon Adams Jr. is week-to-week with a knee injury.
At the end of the day, Rourke is a great player but not everyone is good enough to play in the NFL. Hopefully, he can enjoy long-term CFL success for the remainder of his career.
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