In a series of quarterback moves, the New England Patriots have parted ways with veteran Nathan Rourke, following a brief tenure with the team. Rourke, who was claimed by the Patriots in December after his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was released on Monday.

The quarterback room in New England has undergone significant changes this offseason, with the trading of Mac Jones to the Jaguars and the selection of Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft. Led by head coach Jerod Mayo and de facto GM Eliot Wolf, the Patriots continue to make alterations to their quarterback position group.

Rourke, initially drafted by the CFL's BC Lions in 2020, made the jump to the NFL last year with the Jaguars. However, his status as a fringe NFL player made his release from the Patriots an expected step, especially since the team acquired two quarterbacks in the draft.

Currently, the Patriots have a total of four quarterbacks on their offseason's 90-man roster. However, this number is likely to be reduced as the team needs to finalize their 53-man unit for the season opener. The current quarterback room in Foxborough consists of Maye, Jacoby Brissett, Bailey Zappe, and rookie Joe Milton.

With Maye and Brissett considered roster locks, the stage is set for a potential training camp battle between Zappe and Milton. Milton, a sixth-round pick out of Tennessee, is seen as having the inside edge due to his cost-controlled asset status and developmental potential. His skill set aligns well with Maye's, increasing his chances of becoming a backup quarterback in the near future.

On the other hand, Zappe, a holdover from the previous regime under Bill Belichick, has had lukewarm results as a starter in the league. In six starts last season, he had a 2-4 record and completed 59.9% of his passes, with more interceptions than touchdowns. The Patriots have previously cut Zappe but later brought him back. He is entering the final year of his contract before restricted free agency.

Considering these factors, it is likely that the Patriots may lean towards the younger Milton as Mayo decides the final makeup of the quarterback group for the regular season.

The New England Patriots will continue their preparations for the upcoming season, with the quarterback position remaining a focal point of their roster evaluation.