Breaking News: Falcons Boldly Sign Award-Winning Canadian QB and Ex-UFL Tight End
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons made several roster changes on Wednesday, signing quarterback Nathan Rourke and releasing John Paddock. They also signed tight end Jordan Thomas and released wide receiver Daylen Baldwin.
Rourke, who previously spent time with the New York Giants during the first week of training camp, was released by the Giants last Sunday. Since entering the NFL in 2023, Rourke has been part of three teams: the Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, and now the Falcons. Despite being elevated from practice squads, he has yet to take a live NFL snap.
Before joining the NFL, Rourke played for the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 2021-22. In 2022, he was named the Most Outstanding Canadian, an award given to the league’s top Canadian player. Rourke was the third quarterback to ever receive this honor, following a season where he completed 255 of 324 pass attempts for 3,349 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
John Paddock, who was released to make room for Rourke, signed with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent from the University of Illinois in April.
Jordan Thomas, a former sixth-round draft pick by the Houston Texans in 2018, had his most productive season as a rookie with 20 receptions for 215 yards and four touchdowns. However, his playing time has diminished since then, with appearances in fewer games each year and no live snaps since 2020 when he was with the New England Patriots. Recently, Thomas was part of the Carolina Panthers’ practice squad and spent the offseason with the Birmingham Stallions in the UFL and XFL.
Daylen Baldwin, who was released by the Falcons, joined the team in May. He initially entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent from the University of Michigan in 2022 and had a brief stint with the Cleveland Browns, where he appeared in one game and made two catches for 25 yards as a rookie.
