The Indianapolis Colts have three quarterbacks: Anthony Richardson, Daniel Jones, and Jason Bean. But it wouldn’t hurt to add another signal-caller to the roster. Could Kurtis Rourke be that guy?
Rourke is coming off a stellar year at Indiana. He was instrumental in the Hoosiers’ best season since 1967. Now, he’ll take his talents to the National Football League.
Unlike Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, Rourke isn’t expected to go early in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’ll likely be a Day 3 pick instead. That makes it more realistic that he could end up a Colt. Will Rourke relocate from Bloomington, Indiana to Indianapolis?
Colts Should Consider Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke in the 2025 NFL Draft
Career at Ohio and Indiana
Rourke is best known for his time at Indiana. However, he began his collegiate career with the Ohio Bobcats. He redshirted his initial season, appearing in only one game. Rourke started eight games in 2021, passing for 1,801 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also rushed for 327 yards and three touchdowns. He even caught a pass for 38 yards against Syracuse.
In 2023, Rourke completed 244-of-253 passes for 3,256 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was named the Mid-American Conference Offensive Player of the Year and earned first-team All-MAC honors.
Rourke then transferred to Indiana after five seasons at Ohio. During the 2024 campaign, he recorded 3,042 passing yards and 29 touchdowns. More importantly, he led the Hoosiers to an 11-2 record and a College Football Playoff berth. Rourke was named a semifinalist for several awards, such as the Maxwell and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Awards.
Why the Colts
Should Consider Him
Richardson will compete with Jones for the Colts’ starting quarterback job. It will be an intense battle between two former top-10 picks who’ve had their share of struggles. Whoever loses will serve as the primary backup. With Sam Ehlinger signing with the Denver Broncos this offseason, Bean is currently the Colts’ No. 3 quarterback.
If Indy drafts Rourke, he can compete with Bean for the third-string QB spot. The Oakville, Ontario, native has a high football IQ, reads coverages well, and is a rhythm passer.
Rourke is known for toughness. He tore his ACL before the 2024 season and somehow played through the injury. Yes, that’s certainly the definition of toughness. Rourke spoke about playing while injured (via si.com):
“I like to explain the stories and say to (NFL teams) truthfully, but also in a way to show that I only missed one game and I had a torn ACL and a broken thumb,” Rourke said. “(Toughness) was a talking point, for sure, because a lot of them didn’t really understand or know I did that. You know that you could even play with those injuries, but it’s a fun story to tell.”
Despite coming off an ACL tear, the injury might not have a major impact on his draft slotting. He isn’t Richardson 2.0. In other words, his game isn’t built on mobility.
Rourke doesn’t have the potential to be an NFL star. Yet, he could develop into a serviceable backup down the road.