The Kansas City Chiefs continue to host several players for tryouts now that they’re permitted to sign players on reserve/future contracts.
On Monday, they’ll have the 2022 CFL Most Outstanding Canadian in town for a tryout. According to TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the Chiefs are set to have BC Lions QB Nathan Rourke in for a tryout today. Rourke has already visited a few NFL teams including the Jaguars, Vikings and Bengals.
Rourke, 24, went undrafted out of Ohio University in the 2021 NFL draft, but he was a second-round pick in the CFL draft in 2020. The CFL canceled their 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so he didn’t play.
In May of 2021, Rourke signed a three-year contract with the BC Lions. He wasn’t a starter in his first season, but he debuted as a starter in June of 2022. He’d go on to set a CFL single-season record, completing 78.7 percent of his passes during the 2022 season with 3,349 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. It’s even more impressive when you consider that he missed a portion of the season with a foot injury. Rourke finished the year with an 8-1 record as a starter with the BC Lions.
Nathan Rourke in Kansas City for a workout with the Chiefs today. Two more scheduled for this week. #ChiefsKingdom #BCLions @TSN_Sports @NFLCanada
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) January 9, 2023
According to Lalji, Rourke has two more tryouts scheduled for this week, so if the Chiefs want him for the 2023 offseason, they’ll have to get a deal done sooner-than-later.
Why would Kansas City be working out a quarterback? Firstly, they need someone to throw to players like WR Slade Bolden, who is also in town for a tryout on Monday. Secondly, if Chad Henne retires following the 2022 NFL season, you’re going to want to bring in as much competition as possible to push for the No. 2 quarterback job.
