Canada’s Nathan Rourke had a welcome-to-the-NFL moment on Wednesday when his new head coach and NFL legend Bill Belichick was asked about the young quarterback joining the New England Patriots this week.
Belichick, who has always been known for his to-the-point press conferences, didn’t disappoint when asked about why he wanted to work with Rourke.
“Well just depth at that position,” Belichick told reporters on Wednesday. “When you only have two quarterbacks on the roster, guy sprains his ankle I mean you’re down to putting a receiver or running back at quarterback.”
In terms of his review of Rourke’s play, the long-time Patriots coach didn’t disappoint.
“Productive pre-season, Canada,” Belichick said.
The Patriots claimed Rourke from the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad on Monday after losing fellow quarterback Will Grier to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Rourke was signed to the Jaguars’ 53-man roster for a 31-27 Week 14 loss to the Cleveland Browns, as the team took advantage of the NFL’s new emergency third quarterback rule in the wake of injuries to starter Trevor Lawrence and backup C.J. Beathard.
The Jaguars waived Rourke on Saturday before the team’s 23-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. It was the third time this season the rookie was waived by Jacksonville.
New England started the season with 2021 first-round pick Mac Jones under centre, but with Jones struggling, the team opted to bench the Alabama product and start backup Bailey Zappe for the last three games.
Zappe said he talked with Rourke before practice on Wednesday.
“He’s a great guy, picked his brain a little bit on things that they did over there, how different it is from the Jaguars system to our system,” Zappe said.
“I’ll just continue to pick his brain. He’s seen different things than I’ve seen. Just try to help him out as much as possible, because I know it’s hard to come learn that system and then come learn a totally new system. So, try to help him out as much as possible and try to help him out with the Patriot way.”
Rourke was the CFL’s top Canadian in 2022, completing 255-of-324 passes (78.7 per cent) for 3,349 yards with 25 TDs and 10 interceptions in 10 regular-season starts with the B.C. Lions. The former Ohio NCAA star also ran 39 times for 304 yards (7.8-yard average) and seven touchdowns,
At Ohio (2017-19, Rourke threw for 7,457 yards and 60 touchdowns while leading the Bobcats to three consecutive bowl victories. Twice he received the Jon Cornish Trophy (2017-18) as the top Canadian football player in the NCAA ranks.
The Lions selected Rourke in the second round, No. 15 overall, of the 2020 CFL draft. He began his pro career in Canada the following year as the league didn’t hold a 2020 season due to the global pandemic.
After playing in Denver on Sunday, the Patriots wrap up their season with a road game against Buffalo, not far from where Rourke grew up in Oakville, Ont., and a home game against the New York Jets, who also are eliminated from playoff contention.
— With files from The Canadian Press