Aussie footy star Jordan Petaia knocks back lucrative offers to chase NFL dream

Jordan Petaia plans to wow NFL scouts with his versatility when the rugby union star takes his first and last chance to scratch an American football itch.

As revealed by AAP in September, two-time World Cup Wallaby Petaia has walked away from his Queensland Reds contract to try his luck in the United States.

The 24-year-old confirmed on Tuesday he will attend January’s exclusive NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) development camp in Florida.

“The decision to step away hasn’t been easy,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.

“I will forever be grateful for the experiences ... it feels like the right time in my career to pursue this dream I’ve had for a long time.

“Thank you to the NFL IPP for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Off contract at Ballymore after November, Petaia has rehabilitated a shoulder injury that spoiled his 2024 season.

He has the blessing of the Reds, where he’ll likely return if things don’t pan out at Bradenton’s IMG Academy sporting facility.

Petaia burst onto the scene with a historic Wallabies debut at just 19 at the 2019 World Cup and was preferred at centre by Eddie Jones at the 2023 showpiece.

But, in between, his career has been hampered by a variety of injuries and he has been unable to settle on a preferred position after being tried in the centres, on the wing and at fullback.

Armed with a unique combination of speed, power, agility and coordination, Petaia will attempt to prove to scouts he can play numerous positions, including wide receiver, tight end or on special teams.

A long-time NFL fan, Petaia knocked back lucrative European rugby and NRL offers and will instead give up pay for at least five months to pursue his American dream.

It’s the same program that kick-started Jordan Mailata’s NFL career with Philadelphia, the Sydney giant one of just five internationals to crack an active roster since the program began in 2017.

The 24-year-old IPP cut-off means this is Petaia’s last chance to join that exclusive group.

Last year former Gold Coast VFL talent Patrick Murtagh, a schoolboy decathlon champion, went from the IPP to the Detroit Lions before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars.

But the tight end was waived in August after breaking his ankle in training and never played a game.

Former NRL star Jarryd Hayne famously cracked the San Francisco 49ers active squad as a running back, making eight appearances in 2015.

That was before the advent of the IPP, which was designed to streamline the inclusion of foreign talent and not interfere with the traditional draft system.

NRL flyer Valentine Holmes joined the New York Jets’ practice squad from the IPP in 2019 but quickly aborted after a pre-season of limited opportunities.

But Petaia could benefit from a new rule introduced last season that allows clubs to carry an international player, in addition to their active roster, that can play up to three games in a season.

There are currently 18 IPP products on NFL rosters, including Welsh rugby winger Louis Rees-Zammit, who is on Jacksonville’s training squad after being among the last cut by the Kansas City Chiefs.