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Former rugby union international Jordan Petaia is a step closer to realising a long-held dream of playing in the NFL after signing with the Los Angeles Chargers as a tight end.
Petaia, who earned 31 caps for the Wallabies, turned his back on union late last year after being handed a prized spot on the league’s international player pathway (IPP) programme.
The former Queensland Reds star was put through his paces on an American football field – and in the classroom – for 10 weeks at the IMG Academy in Florida earlier this year, before trialling in front of all 32 NFL clubs.
The Chargers, who finished second in their conference last season, were impressed with what they saw of the 25-year-old and announced a deal on Thursday.
As a qualifying international player, Petaia will fill an exemption spot under new NFL rules, and can be called onto the roster at any stage.
Petaia, who became the the youngest player to represent the Wallabies in two Rugby World Cups, is adept at playing anywhere across the back line in rugby, making him suitable for the tight-end position on an NFL field.
He joins fellow Australians including former NRL player Valentine Holmes and Jordan Mailata in graduating from the IPP to an NFL team.
Mailata became the first Australian to win a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles last year, and the IPP class of 2018 alumni said he was confident Petaia would make the most of the opportunity presented to him.
“I am super proud of Jordan and I think the opportunity he has is tremendous,” said Mailata. “It is such a great career move for him and also great that he will be closer to home on the West Coast in LA.
“I know the Chargers are going to invest in Jordan and he is going to invest and buy into the whole process. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”
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Petaia said when he won a spot on the IPP that he had been a fan of the NFL since he was a child.
The IPP program was launched in 2017 with the aim of identifying untapped talent from a diverse range of other sports, and giving selected athletes a chance to develop their skills and ultimately a place on an NFL roster.
The NFL is undertaking a push into the Asia-Pacific region, where Australia is seen as a significant global market with a growing fan base. The league opened offices on the Gold Coast and established an NFL Flag football program three years ago. In 2026, the NFL’s first regular season game in Australia will be played at the MCG.
