The Patriots have whittled their quarterback room back down to four players after releasing Nathan Rourke, a source confirmed to the Herald.

Rourke, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Jaguars in December. He re-signed with the team this offseason, but the quarterback room became crowded after the Patriots selected Drake Maye third overall and Joe Milton III in the sixth round.

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The Patriots also signed Jacoby Brissett as a free agent this offseason and still have Bailey Zappe on the roster. The Patriots traded Mac Jones to the Jaguars in March.

Rourke, who played collegiately at Ohio, began his processional career in the CFL with the BC Lions before moving over to the NFL last offseason. He backed up Zappe in the Patriots’ Week 18 loss to the Jets last season.

Maye and Brissett are expected to compete for the starting role this spring and summer.

ESPN’s Mike Reiss was first to report Rourke’s release.