Jordan Petaia, Ex-Wallaby, Joins NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers

Jordan Petaia has taken a giant step towards becoming the first Wallaby to play in the NFL, after being signed by the Los Angeles Chargers.

The 25-year-old earned a contract after impressing scouts through the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) training program in Florida.

As revealed by Code Sports last week, Petaia has been training primarily as a tight end, and has been signed by the Chargers for that position, a vastly unusual transition for former rugby and rugby league players, who gravitate more towards the running back and wide receiver positions given the matching skill-sets.

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Petaia now has the chance to catch passes from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who is on an astronomical contract worth $417 million.

Jordan Petaia at IMG Academy. Credit: NFL UK & IrelandSource: Supplied

In a video announcing the deal, Petaia told Chargers fans: “Hey guys, excited to be a part of the family, keen to get stuck in. Bolt up.”

In a statement, the club said: “The Los Angeles Chargers today signed tight end Jordan Petaia. He joins the Bolts as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) training program.

“Petaia (pronounced peh-TIE-uh), trained in the IPP program over 10 weeks at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., culminated by showcasing his skills at a pro day at the University of South Florida on March 26.

“A native of Melbourne, Australia, he has appeared in a pair of Rugby World Cups (2019 in Japan and 2023 in France) for the Wallabies, becoming the youngest Australian to play at a World Cup in 2019 at 18 years old.

Jordan Petaia (C) played in two World Cups for the Wallabies. Picture: AFPSource: AFP

“Internationally, Petaia played 31 Tests with Australia since 2019, totalling 40 points. He played his club rugby for the Queensland Reds, making his debut in 2018 as the club’s youngest player ever and playing in a total of 58 Tests.

“Established in 2017, the IPP program is designed to offer elite athletes from around the world with experience in other sports the opportunity to improve and develop their skills to earn a spot on an NFL roster.”