Valentine Holmes says he has no regrets over NFL pursuit
Valentine Holmes will join North Queensland as soon as next week, with the former NFL hopeful now opening up for the first time about his venture onto American soil.
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Valentine Holmes is on his way back to Australia and could be wearing Cowboys colours within days in a major boost for Queensland’s Origin campaign next year.
Holmes on Saturday announced he would be leaving the New York Jets following his brief dalliance with the NFL.
The Courier-Mail reported this week that Holmes had decided to call time on his NFL career and was set to sign with North Queensland for the 2020 NRL season.
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The Cowboys and Holmes’ management are hoping to finalise a four or five-year deal in the coming days.
Holmes said he did not regret his decision to quit Cronulla and have a crack at gridiron in the United States despite only playing in practice games.
“Joining the New York Jets has been an awesome experience, one I would never change,” Holmes said.
“I made personal and professional sacrifices to secure the opportunity to pull on the Jets helmet and uniform. I will live with no regrets around my decision to pursue an NFL career.
“I’m excited I got to play in all four games and I’m very grateful the Jets gave me that opportunity.
“I’m happy with how much time I got, whether it was a couple of minutes or 10 minutes or whatever. I’m just very grateful to be here.
“I will now take some time off to organise my things and sit down with my family and my agent on my return to Australia to discuss my next step moving forward.”
Holmes, 24, shocked the NRL last November when he sought a release from the final year of his contract at Cronulla to have a crack at the NFL.
He secured a contract as an international player on the Jets’ practice squad and played a handful of warm-up games, but was unable to score a promotion to the top team.
Holmes was paid about $180,000 to be on the Jets’ practice squad, a far cry from the near $1 million-a-season salary he can command in the NRL.
Holmes’ contract with the Cowboys will see him enter seven-figure territory in the latter seasons of the deal.
The Cowboys had been holding out in hope of Holmes returning to give them a blue-chip fullback next year after finishing 14th in 2019.
The club met with disgruntled Rooster Latrell Mitchell in Townsville on Monday night, however that is unlikely to progress if Holmes formally commits to North Queensland.
Holmes’ return is not only a coup for the Cowboys but also under-pressure Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters.
The Maroons have lost the past two Origin series and have struggled following the retirements of representative legends Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater.
While Newcastle gun Kalyn Ponga appears to be Queensland’s long-term No. 1, Holmes is a sensational winger, having scored eight tries in five Origin appearances out wide.