According to Rogers Sportsnet on Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars have signed quarterback Nathan Rourke of Victoria, British Columbia to a three-year contract worth $2.7 million. Rourke had a breakout 2022 Canadian Football League season where he was named the most outstanding Canadian. It should be noted that unlike other contracts in other major professional sports leagues, National Football League contracts are seldom guaranteed.
In 2022, Rourke completed 255 passes in 324 attempts for 3349 yards, 25 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. He also had 39 rushes for 304 yards and seven more rushing touchdowns.
Rourke became the third Canadian quarterback to win the Canadian Football League Most Outstanding Canadian Award. He followed Ottawa Rough Riders quarterback Russ Jackson of Hamilton, Ontario (1959, 1963, 1966, 1969) and Montreal Alouettes quarterback Gerry Dattillo of Chomedey, Quebec (1980).
However, Rourke will not be the starting quarterback in Jacksonville like he was with in British Columbia. That position still belongs to Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick from the 2021 NFL Draft. The Clemson product had a sensational second half on Saturday night in the AFC Wildcard game. Lawrence guided the Jaguars to the third largest comeback in NFL playoff history. The Jaguars were once down 27-0 to the Los Angeles Chargers, but the Jaguars came back to win 31-30. Lawrence actually had four touchdowns and four interceptions interceptions in the contest.
