Nathan Rourke was 'surprised' to be claimed off waivers by Patriots

Nathan Rourke has not been given an easy task. 

After the New England Patriots claimed the quarterback earlier this week, he arrived in Foxborough and started working with the team right away. 

"It's been a whirlwind. A lot of information, new faces, new people, but it's been good so far," Rourke told reporters on Thursday. "I'm honored. It's a great organization." 

So with only three weeks left in the season, it almost seems like Rourke was given an impossible task: to learn the offense in this short period of time. 

"It's been a lot," the quarterback said when asked about this. "Just learning the language this far into it has been difficult. But I don't put it past myself to be able to pick it up. Doing my best and the guys are supporting me the best way possible."

He even admitted to getting lost in the building a few times. 

Rourke began his career in the Canadian Football League with the BC Lions. His first opportunity in the NFL came in May 2021 when he tried out for the New York Giants at wide receiver. However he remained in the CFL.

In 2022, Rourke had a breakout season, being named the CFL Most Outstanding Canadian. Because of that, NFL teams showed interest and he worked out for seven different teams.

In January, Rourke ultimately signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars and was a star in the preseason. The Jaguars opted to waive him as part of final roster cuts, but signed him to the practice squad right after.

He has been up and down between the active roster and practice squad, but was last released on Dec. 16.

And the Patriots swooped in to claim him. 

This was a move Rourke admitted he wasn't expecting. 

"A little bit," he said when asked if he was surprised the Patriots claimed him. "But that's how things work."

The Patriots weren't the only team to show interest in Rourke, with the Texans also placing a claim on him. But the Patriots had higher priority. 

And they were in need of some addition depth in the quarterback room after Malik Cunningham and Will Grier were both signed off the Patriots practice squad.

Let's see how he does in Foxborough.