Jacksonville Jaguars Waive Canadian QB Nathan Rourke

So close, yet so far. Such is the plight of 25-year-old Nathan Rourke from Victoria, British Columbia. This past offseason he was made an offer by the Jacksonville Jaguars to try out as quarterback. After an impressive training camp and plenty of preseason action, Jacksonville opted to leave him out of its 53-man roster.

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QB Nathan Rourke Waived by Jaguars

After blowing much of the competition out of the water during the 2022 CFL season with the BC Lions, opportunity beckoned down south. Specifically, the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars included Rourke in their training camp and preseason campaign. There was never any guarantee that the 2022 CFL top Canadian would make the team, but it was exciting news for Canadian football fans.

However, head coach Doug Pederson made things abundantly clear last week with respect to the quarterback backup position, stating there was no true battle for the number two spot behind Trevor Lawrence. C.J. Beathard had that role locked up. With the Jaguars concerned about having players available in other positions, they opted to waive Rourke.

This doesn’t mean the Canadian’s NFL career is over. Technically he can be claimed by any other club and fit into its 53-man roster. Alternatively, his aspirations of finding an NFL could come through free agency and fill a role on a practice squad.

TSN’s Farhan Lalji reports that it’s unlikely that Rourke will return to the Canadian Football League this year. In fact, there is a higher chance that Rourke plays a long-term game with the NFL, remaining patient and persistent. Any potential CFL game time wouldn’t happen until into the 2024 campaign.

Throughout the preseason Nathan Rourke completed 23 of 35 passes for 348 yards, threw a touchdown and avoided any interceptions. His lone TD was an exceptionally athletic play against the Dallas Cowboys in which he evaded multiple sacks before launching a 21-yard dart into the end zone.