Wallabies star Jordan Petaia attracts interest of Kansas City Chiefs and LA Chargers after impressive NFL trial

Jordan Petaia’s path to an NFL roster has been revealed - with the former Wallaby in the sights of four teams. Read why pop star Taylor Swift could play a role in where he ends up.

Jordan Petaia has caught the interest of four NFL teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, as the former Wallaby bids to become the next Australian to break through into the world’s most valuable sporting league.

Code Sport can reveal that Petaia has primarily been trialling as a tight-end in the International Player Pathway, and has impressed enough in open workouts to earn call-backs from four franchises.

They are the Chiefs, LA Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Atlanta Falcons.

Wallaby Jordan Petaia is trying out for NFL in the USA. Picture: Liam Kidston

Petaia, a lifelong Chiefs fan, now finds himself in a position where he could join the team and be mentored by one of the greatest tight-ends of all time, Travis Kelce.

With Kelce set to retire after next season, the Chiefs are future planning for life without the legend, who is a household name beyond sport due to his relationship with pop star Taylor Swift.

Chiefs champion Travis Kelce and superstar partner Taylor Swift. Picture: Getty Images

The Chiefs lost this year’s Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles, but had won the previous two, and with star quarterback Patrick Mahomes they are expected to be annual contenders for the crown.

The Chargers, coached by the highly-rated Jim Harbaugh, also need depth in the tight-end position to aid veteran Will Dissly, who is on a $22 million, three-year deal with the franchise.

The 25-year-old Petaia also trained in the wide receiver position and as a defender.

But it seems scouts were largely impressed with his route running and catching skills at tight end, a specialist position that is rarely attempted by those coming from other football codes due to its nuances.

Petaia recently revealed that he had spoken to Eagles offensive tackle and Super Bowl winner Jordan Mailata, who was a graduate of the IPP system.

Mailata is Australia’s highest paid footballer, on a contract worth $100 million and which is set to increase next time he negotiates a deal.

Jordan Petaia during his time as a Wallaby in 2023. Picture: Getty Images

The IPP coaches have helped Petaia upskill his gridiron knowledge in exceptionally quick time, and now he is a chance to live out his childhood dream.

There is still a long way to go for Petaia, the youngest Wallaby to play in two World Cups, but the level of interest following his Pro Day performance is a positive sign.

He is set to meet with representatives from the four clubs next week and get a clearer understanding of how they see his progression and potential.

Petaia’s Welsh rugby rival Louis Rees-Zammit made the same switch last year and was contracted by the Chiefs, however he was released without playing an NFL game for them. He is now on the roster of Jacksonville Jaguars as a running back, and has been helping Petaia with his development in the United States.

The NFL generates an estimated $32 billion annually through broadcast rights and sponsorship and is the most lucrative sports league on the planet.

Wallaby Jordan Petaia is trying out for NFL in the USA. Picture: Liam Kidston

Prior to his trial through the IPP, Petaia told Code Sports he could not live with the regret if he didn’t attempt the switch.

“I’ve thought about it for a while and it’s been in the back of my head, I’ve loved watching the sport and I’ve been a fan for a long time so I think,” Petaia said.

“To know I had this opportunity and didn’t take it, I just feel I couldn’t live with that regret.

“And just being a fan and, I’ve always had the dream.

“It’s something not only I had as a dream, but even my old man used to joke around, but low-key serious, about it. Like when you see those other boys go along that IPP pathway and some of them get going, he’s just said, ‘You know, the opportunity is there’.”

Originally published as Wallabies star Jordan Petaia attracts interest of Kansas City Chiefs and LA Chargers after impressive NFL trial