Former Wallaby Jordan Petaia signs multi-million dollar contract with NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers

Former Wallaby Jordan Petaia’s NFL dream is about to take off – with the two-time World Cup star inking a deal in the world’s toughest league more lucrative than rugby’s highest-paid player.

JORDAN Petaia has landed a deal more lucrative than rugby’s highest-paid player, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, after being signed by NFL club Los Angeles Chargers.

Code Sports can reveal that Petaia’s three-year deal includes appearance bonuses and other incentives that could take him up to $2 million a year, and $6 million overall in his first three years in the new sport.

The contract certainly justifies the huge risk he took walking away from rugby to take a shot at his NFL dream, one he has carried since a young child.

Now begins the challenge of trying to secure a spot in the Chargers’ 53-man roster for the 2025 season, which would trigger the big money written into his deal and surpass Suaalii’s record $5.35 million three-year deal with Rugby Australia.

Wallaby Jordan Petaia is now a LA Charger. Picture: Liam Kidston

Petaia has been signed as a tight end by the Chargers, and will compete for a spot against Will Dissly, Tyler Conklin, Tucker Fisk and McCallan Castles while under the tutelage of the club’s tight ends coach and run game coordinator, Andy Bischoff.

The 25-year-old has taken a giant step towards becoming the first Wallaby to play in the NFL, and 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.”

Petaia had also met with officials from Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons following an impressive performance through the NFL’s International Pathway Program that ran for 10 weeks, culminating in the Pro Day in front of NFL scouts where he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.58 seconds and had a 40.5-inch vertical jump.

Petaia now has the chance to catch passes from Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert, who is on an astronomical contract worth $417 million, at one of the world’s most famous grounds, Chargers home SoFi Stadium.

Petaia’s agent, Andrew Fairbairn said Los Angeles was the best option for the 31-Test Wallaby.

“We are thrilled for Jordy, who has quietly planned this move to the NFL for some time,” Fairbairn said.

welcome to LA, mate ⚡️

we’ve signed TE Jordan Petaia → https://t.co/ssn4tnRcmYpic.twitter.com/EAGl0pJNlb

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) April 3, 2025

“He has taken a huge risk to depart rugby union for the NFL IPP, with no contractual guarantee.

“After speaking with a few teams since Pro Day last week, we felt the Chargers were the best fit for him as he takes his first step in the NFL.”

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.

Australia’s Super Bowl winning star Jordan Mailata, of the Philadelphia Eagles, expressed his pride at Petaia’s successful switch.

“I am super proud of Jordan and I think the opportunity he has is tremendous,” Mailata said.

Jordan Petaia at IMG Academy. Picture: NFL UK & Ireland

Jordan Mailata won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles this year. Picture: Getty

“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.”

Mailata, the offensive tackle who became the first Aussie to start and win a Super Bowl when he claimed the Lombardi trophy with Eagles in February, came through the IPP Class of 2018.

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.

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

“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.

“Internationally, Petaia played 31 Tests with Australia since 2019, totaling 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.”

Originally published as Former Wallaby Jordan Petaia signs multi-million dollar contract with NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers