Vikings Audition Interesting New QB
Vikings Audition Interesting New QB
The Minnesota Vikings employ Kirk Cousins and Nick Mullens at quarterback, as QB3 David Blough was pilfered by the Arizona Cardinals last week. Presumably, Minnesota will want an emergency QB3 on the roster for the postseason.
And that could be standout CFL quarterback Nathan Rourke, who tried out for the team this week. Rourke won the CFL’s ‘Most Outstanding Canadian’ award this year with the BC Lions.
Vikings Audition Interesting New QB
It is unclear if Rourke will sign on the Vikings dotted line. If he does, though, he can reasonably be considered a plan for 2022 — and beyond. Minnesota doesn’t have to keep Rourke for 2022 only and discard him hereafter. Rourke could become the Vikings long-term QB3 or perhaps QB2 if he impresses in the preseason down the road.
Oddly, Rourke has never played in the NFL and hasn’t even been a part of the team’s practice squad, spring roster — or anything. He tried out as a wide receiver for the 2021 New York Giants, but it never materialized for the 24-year-old.
Rourke attended Ohio University from 2017 to 2019, was drafted to the CFL in the 2nd Round of the 2020 Draft, and entered the pool for the 2021 NFL Draft, too. At Ohio, Rourke tallied 7,457 passing yards, 60 touchdown passes, and 20 interceptions in 39 games. He’s also as mobile as hell, accruing 2,034 rushing yards and 49 touchdowns in the timeframe. His 146.5 college passer rating is ultra-impressive.
Then, with the BC Lions, Rourke has tabulated 4,103 passing yards, 28 touchdown passes, 15 picks, 415 rushing yards, and 12 rushing touchdowns — in 23 games. That’s what the statline of a CFL MVP looks like. Rourke’s Lions made it to the CFL semifinal in 2022 but lost to the eventual Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Recently, the Vikings allegedly reached out to former Green Bay Packers quarterback Kurt Benkert for a possible QB3 relationship, but Benkert declined. The Vikings also worked out CFL tight end Kian Schaffer-Baker this week.
At the of August, the Vikings cut ties with QB3-caliber passers, Kellen Mond and Sean Mannion. Mond wound up as a QB3 for the Cleveland Browns, whereas Mannion has the same job with the Seattle Seahawks.
The Vikings are 11-3 through 15 weeks, guaranteed no less than the No. 3 seed in the NFC’s upcoming playoff tournament. For now, Minnesota holds the No. 2 seed and must finish one game higher than the San Francisco 49ers (10-4) to maintain the spot. Any Vikings loss would likely result in a tumble to the three-seed. But because Minnesota stunningly circumvented a 33-point lead over the Indianapolis Colts last weekend, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Vikings cannot finish any worse than the No. 3 seed.
Rourke is Canadian and will turn 25 in May. He’s 6’1″ and 210 pounds, which is about Baker Mayfield’s or Case Keenum’s stature. He’s also worked out for about six other NFL teams this month,
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. He hosts a podcast with Bryant McKinnie, which airs every Wednesday with Raun Sawh and Sal Spice. His Viking fandom dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ and The Doors (the band).
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