The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of 12 organizations in the NFL which Nathan Rourke trained with after completing the 2022 season with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.
Other teams he has trained with include Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Minnesota Vikings, the Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals.
Rourke reportedly agreed to a three-year deal with the Jaguars. Financial details of the contract and the portion of the pact that is guaranteed were not immediately made public.
The minimum wage in the NFL in 2023 it will be US$750,000.
Rourke should initial his contract from the NFL Sunday night.
Rourke, a 1.88m, 94kg athlete, had one year left on his Canadian Football League (CFL) contract but he had the option of signing with a club in the NFL during the window reserved for such negotiations.
Rourke was passed over in the draft of the NFL of 2021 after his career with the Ohio University Bobcats in Athens. He then signed a contract with the Lions, who had claimed him in the second round, 15th overall, during the selection session of the LCF of 2020.
After making two starts with the Lions in his rookie season, Rourke has shined in 2022. He has had six games with at least 300 yards passing — including three with over 400 yards — and he helped the Lions build an 8-1 record.
Rourke, however, suffered right foot injury which required an operation and which limited its number of games.
He returned to action in the final game of the regular season and helped the Lions (12-6) beat the Calgary Stampeders 30-16 in the Western Division semi-final.
The Lions’ season ended with a 28-20 loss in the West Final to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.