Patriots Claim Jaguars QB Nathan Rourke Off Waivers

The Jacksonville Jaguars will need a new No. 3 quarterback.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will need to add another quarterback.

Jaguars' No. 3 quarterback Nathan Rourke was claimed on waivers by the New England Patriots on Monday, just a few days after the Jaguars waived Rourke from the active roster to make room for the return of Jamal Agnew.

Rourke was drafted by the CFL’s BC Lions in 2020 and played with the Lions from 2021-22. He appeared in 22 games (11 starts) from 2021-22 and completed 300-of-395 passes for 4,035 yards and 28 TDs. Rourke completed 78.7 of his passes in 2022, setting a new CFL record and earned the CFL’s award for Most Outstanding Canadian.

Rourke played at Ohio University from 2017-19 and threw for 7,457 yards and 60 TDs in three seasons, leading the Bobcats to three consecutive bowl victories.

Rourke excelled in the preseason for the Jaguars and was signed to the practice squad as the team's defacto No. 3 quarterback following the 53-man roster cuts.

Rourke will now become a Patriot, leaving the Jaguars in a tough spot considering the injury situation surrounding quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Lawrence self-reported concussion symptoms to team doctors and trainers after Sunday night's 23-7 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. There is now a real chance Lawrence misses the first start of his career in Week 16, which is now further complicated by the Patriots claiming Rourke.

If Lawrence doesn't play this weekend, Rourke was in line to be the No. 2 quarterback and just one snap away from playing. If Lawrence were to play the expectation probably could have been for Rourke to be signed to the active roster as an emergency quarterback option.

Now, though, neither is in play and the Jaguars are in the quarterback market.