Bombers welcome B.C. quarterback Nathan Rourke back with open arms

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The last time the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence took to the field, they sent B.C. Lions quarterback Vernon Adams to the injury list.

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Their reward will likely be a healthy dose of Nathan Rourke on Sunday.

Rourke, the CFL’s top Canadian player and one of its best quarterbacks two years ago, signed with B.C. on Tuesday after spending more than a year chasing a job in the NFL.

Word out of Vancouver is he’ll likely start against the Bombers.

“I just wish he got more of a chance in the NFL,” Winnipeg linebacker Adam Bighill said, Tuesday. “He’s a good player. I don’t think he got the right opportunity that he deserves. But I know a lot of people in the Canadian Football League and fans are excited that he’s back in the CFL. And if he’s happy, I’m excited for him as well.”

Rourke should be relatively happy. He signed a three-year deal that will reportedly make him the CFL’s highest-paid player next year and in 2026 at a whopping $750,000-$800,000 per season.

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The deal includes a reported $200,000 per year in marketing money that doesn’t count towards the salary cap.

Not bad, even for a guy who set a CFL record for completion percentage with B.C. in 2022.

“He’s been great with decision making,” Bighill said of the 26-year-old from Victoria. “He’s got a quick release. And he throws the ball really, really well … and then he’s extended plays time and time again with his legs. He runs the ball very well.”

That latter quality will have Bighill on high alert as the 3-6 Bombers try to beat the Lions twice in a row and hand B.C., 5-4, a fourth straight loss.

“Part of my role is to control the middle of the field,” Bighill said. “So if he’s going to get loose I’m definitely going to have eyes on him, as will many people in our defence. We’re not going to prepare completely differently. A Vernon offence and a Rourke offence are very similar… this ensures they could potentially have a quarterback that fits their system very, very well.”

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The combination of Rourke’s Canadian heritage and ability makes him something of a poster boy for the league.

The Lions expect a crowd of more than 30,000 on Sunday.

“This just isn’t any regular player that we’re signing,” Lions director of football operations Neil McEvoy told reporters in Vancouver. “This is someone who has pedigree within our league and within our country. This is a guy that, when he was with us in the past, moved the needle in every market.

“It’s good for the league. It’s good for Canada.”

Willie Jefferson, the man in charge of terrorizing opposing quarterbacks for the Bombers, is looking forward to reacquainting himself with the young gun.

“We just want to make it hard for him,” Jefferson said. “If we have the opportunity to get to him, get to him early, get to him often, put him on the ground, make him feel it. Give him those first good couple of licks and make ‘em count.”

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Like Rourke, Jefferson and Bighill both left the CFL to take a run at the NFL, returning to Canada when their opportunities dried up.

Neither are surprised Rourke landed back in B.C., Jefferson comparing it to quarterback Chris Streveler’s return to the Bombers.

“I know it’s been like a roller-coaster for him these last couple of years, and these last couple of months, bouncing around in the NFL,” Jefferson said. “It’s almost the same thing as Strev. He knows that offence, he knows the majority of the receivers… why not go back to where you’re comfortable?”

Rourke’s return adds a dimension to the second-half playoff race, potentially tossing another obstacle the Bombers’ way.

Head coach Mike O’Shea chose to look at the bigger picture.

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“From a league standpoint, any time a good quarterback enters our league or re-enters our league, that’s good for our league,” O’Shea said. “I know he’s a good quarterback.”

As for the suggestion Rourke might not play on Sunday, the coach cut that off at the knees.

“They don’t sign him not to play him. He’s been in the system and he knows what to do.”

HOW ABOUT HABA?

The return of defensive end Celestin Haba to practice didn’t come as a surprise to O’Shea, even if Haba’s leg injury in Week 2 looked serious.

“They love what they do,” O’Shea said. “They hate when it’s taken away from them. They do everything they can to get back as quickly as possible. I don’t think Haba left the building over the bye. I think he stayed and worked, knowing what’s ahead of him. A bunch of guys do that.”

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Haba was almost too fired up at times on Tuesday.

“I was telling him to calm down,” Jefferson said. “We want to ease him in… it’s only Day 1.”

BYE-WEEK SHENANIGANS

Not everybody stayed in the building or even in Winnipeg during the bye week.

Jefferson and his family vacationed in Puerto Vallarta, where he could “kick my feet up, dig my feet into some sand.”

Receiver Nic Demski spent a couple of days at Lake of the Woods with his daughter, girlfriend and two dogs, saying the break came at a good time.

“Just a nice little re-set, mentally,” the Winnipegger said. “Anytime you do something for nine weeks in a row, especially something as physical as this — this sport asks a lot from you.”

pfriesen@postmedia.com
X: @friesensunmedia

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