Report: Giants claim Canadian QB Nathan Rourke off waivers

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Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke has found a new home in the NFL.

After being released and waived by the New England Patriots on Monday, Rourke was claimed by the New York Giants on Tuesday, according to a report by NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero.

The 25-year-old from Victoria signed a three-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars ahead of the 2023 season before being claimed off waivers by the Patriots in December and then subsequently re-signed with the team in the off-season.

Rourke spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons in the CFL with the B.C. Lions, racking up 4,035 yards and 28 touchdowns in 22 games and 11 starts. He was named the league’s Most Outstanding Canadian in 2022.

The Patriots recently signed veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett in free agency and drafted signal callers Drake Maye and Joe Milton in the 2024 NFL Draft, leading to Rourke’s release.

The Giants have a Canadian connection in their front office. Chris Rossetti, the director of pro scouting, is a former Toronto Argonauts executive and quarterback at Guelph University.

New York has a crowded quarterback room, with Daniel Jones, Drew Lock and Tommy DeVito already in the organization. While there is no surefire franchise quarterback in that group, Rourke will have to beat out at least one quarterback with NFL experience to stick.

The Giants finished third in the NFC East last season with a 6-11 record.