The BC Lions announced on Tuesday a 2-season contract extension of Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke that will keep him through the 2028 season. He was previously entering the final year of his contract.
“I’m honoured to continue my lifelong dream as a professional football player with the BC Lions. I’m fortunate to be part of an organization that believes in me and trusts me to lead both on and off the field,” said Rourke.
“Thank you to Mr. Doman, Duane Vienneau, Ryan Rigmaiden, Neil McEvoy and my agent, Greg Brookey, for all the work that went into this extension. This organization has redefined family for me and I’m excited to keep chasing the goal of bringing a Grey Cup back to the West Coast. Emily and I are proud to call BC home. Go Lions!”
Rourke is coming off his best season after setting the new record for most passing yards by a Canadian in a single season with 5,290, breaking Russ Jackson’s record set in 1969. Rourke completed 70.4% of his passes and amassed 31 touchdowns with 16 interceptions. He also rushed 61 times for 564 yards and 10 touchdowns. He was named All-CFL this past season for the first time in his career and took home the Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian awards this past season.
This past postseason, Rourke completed 36 of his 52 passes for 513 yards and rushed 10 times for 74 yards and 3 touchdowns over the 2 playoff games.
“Nathan has developed into the best player in the league and the face of the CFL,” stated Lions’ general manager Ryan Rigmaiden. “We wanted to be proactive by getting this done, not only for the club, but for our fanbase. Extending him through 2028 puts us in the best possible position to win, and sends the right message to his teammates, the league and BC Lions fans everywhere. As Nathan continues to get more comfortable in coach Buck’s offence, we expect to be even more competitive in the future.”
Rourke has played in 50 regular-season CFL games, all with the BC Lions from 2021 to 2025, with an NFL stint following his breakout season in 2022. He has completed 795 passes of 1,115 attempts for 11,174 yards and 63 touchdowns with 40 interceptions. He has impressive numbers, averaging 10 yards per pass and a 71.3% completion rate.
He signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2023 and spent time on the practice squad after posting impressive numbers, completing 23 of his 35 passes for 348 yards and a touchdown. He was claimed late in the 2023 season by the New England Patriots. He would spend time with the New York Giants and Atlanta Falcons over the 2024 training camp before returning to the CFL.
Rourke played his collegiate ball with the Ohio Bobcats, where he amassed 7,475 passing yards, 70 touchdowns, and rushed for 2,639 yards and 49 rushing touchdowns over 39 games. He led the team to 3 consecutive bowl wins and was named the MVP in the 2020 Idaho Potato Bowl to close out his career. He was awarded the Jon Cornish Trophy (best Canadian NCAA player) in 2017 and 2018.
Rourke brings an NFL-caliber passing ability to the Lions and elite escapability and rushing abilities that can negate the effects of strong pass rushes.
