B.C. Lions expect Nathan Rourke to keep chasing NFL spot

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B.C. Lions co-general manager Neil McEvoy believes quarterback Nathan Rourke will keep shooting for an NFL job.

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Rourke, 26, the Victoria-born pivot who starred with B.C. in the 2022 CFL campaign, was waived by the New York Giants on Sunday. McEvoy says that his club has been told by the Rourke camp that Rourke is focusing on sticking in the NFL this year at the very least.

McEvoy says that his team keeps in contact with Rourke, but also pointed out that “we have the best quarterback in the CFL,” in Vernon Adams, Jr., who has led B.C. to a 5-2 start to the season and currently tops the circuit in passing yardage and touchdowns.

The Lions signed Adams Jr., to a contract extension in February that keeps him with the club through 2026.

“We’re certainly not scrambling,” McEvoy said.

Rourke is now on the NFL waiver wire for 24 hours. The Giants picked him up off waivers from the New England Patriots in May. There were reports that the Atlanta Falcons also put in a claim for him at that point. The Giants had the earlier waiver wire position.

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The 6-foot-2, 209-pound Rourke was one of four quarterbacks with the Giants. Teams usually keep three on their roster.

Rourke moved to the NFL initially when he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in January 2023. New England claimed him off waivers from Jacksonville. He dressed for six regular season games but didn’t see a snap. According to 3DownNation, he made $519,668 USD last season.

The upcoming NFL season opens Sept. 5.

Rourke was in the B.C. Place stands at the Lions’ July 13 matchup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and did an in-game interview with TSN that night where he said that “The goal is to play … I still feel like that opportunity is present down in the NFL.”

Rourke also told TSN play-by-play man Rod Smith and analyst Glen Suitor: “I would love to come back and play in this league that I love so much. I love playing in front of these fans, I love playing in front of family and I’d love to return to an organization that I love — that feels like family to me — in B.C. with the Lions.”

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Rourke’s parents live in the Lower Mainland, McEvoy said.

Rourke is no longer on Lions’ property. He’s considered a CFL free agent since his contract with B.C. expired.

B.C. head coach and co-GM Rick Campbell told 3DownNation back in March: “The way my mind is working, I don’t expect Nathan back. Just having worked with him and what he’s like, I think the more he’s down there, the longer he’s around, he’s gonna stay.”

Rourke, who grew up mainly in Oakville, Ont., was the CFL’s top Canadian in 2022 despite missing nearly half the regular season with a Lisfranc injury. He threw for 3,349 yards and 25 touchdowns.

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