During the first half of the Jacksonville Jaguars NFL Playoff game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday, it sure looked like quarterback Trevor Lawrence was melting down. However, the second-year signal-caller right the ship and ended up leading the team to a historic comeback victory, cementing his spot as the team’s quarterback for the foreseeable future.
Still, it can never hurt to be prepared. That’s why the Jaguars signed former BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke to a deal on Sunday.
“B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke, who set CFL records last season before visiting with 12 NFL teams in recent weeks, has chosen to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, per source,” said ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “Rourke will be expected to compete to back up Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence.”
B.C. Lions QB Nathan Rourke, who set CFL records last season before visiting with 12 NFL teams in recent weeks, has chosen to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, per source. Rourke will be expected to compete to back up Jaguars’ QB Trevor Lawrence.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2023
The 24-year-old quarterback made an announcement of his own in a style akin to how many college football players announce a transfer or going pro.
https://twitter.com/nathan_rourke/status/1614692883898183680
Rourke set tons of CFL records during his second season and first as a starter. He completed 78.7 percent of his passes for 3,349 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, leading the Lions to the Western Final before they were beaten by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He even powered through a Lisfranc injury in order to return and help the team make its playoff run.
Rourke is the first CFL quarterback to sign with an NFL team since Grey-Cup-winning QB Chris Streveler signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
While Rourke won’t be eligible to play in Jacksonville’s current playoff run, he’ll be in the running to be Lawrence’s backup next season.
