By Adrian Proszenko and Billie Eder
Jordan Petaia’s decision to knock back interest from the Brisbane Broncos has paid off after he earned a contract with NFL side the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Melbourne-born 25-year-old, who represented Australia in two Rugby World Cups, inked a three-year deal with the NFL franchise after training for 10 weeks as part of the NFL’s international player pathway program.
Jordan Petaia has signed with the LA Chargers.Credit: Getty
“Hey guys, excited to be a part of the family, keen to get stuck in. Bolt up,” Petaia said in a video to Chargers fans.
The Chargers won the fight for Petaia’s signature, the Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns and Atlanta Falcons among the other clubs also interested in the Australian.
There was also no shortage of interest in Petaia’s services from outside the NFL. Several rugby franchises around the world had expressed interest, while St George Illawarra coach Shane Flanagan was also keen. As late as last December, Michael Maguire was hoping Petaia would consider a cross-code switch to Red Hill.
However, Petaia had long harboured an ambition to test himself in the NFL. Petaia had played for the Queensland Reds since 2018 and earned 31 Wallabies caps as a utility back, and has been signed by the Chargers as a tight end – a hybrid between a receiver and an offensive lineman.
The role of a tight end is to protect the quarterback during passing plays, but they can also run routes and catch passes.
One of the NFL’s best tight ends is three-time Super Bowl champion Travis Kelce, who plays for the Chiefs.
It’s not the first time Maguire has crossed paths with an elite NFL prospect. While coaching at South Sydney, he offered Jordan Mailata a $5000 contract to keep toiling away for feeder club North Sydney. Mailata’s gamble to instead try his hand at American football has paid off spectacularly; after inking a $100 million contract with Philadelphia, he became the first Australian to make the field of play in a Super Bowl-winning side last season.
“I am super-proud of Jordan and I think the opportunity he has is tremendous,” Mailata said in a statement. “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.”
Whether Petaia has the same success as Mailata remains to be seen. The former Reds star will earn $US250,000 ($400,000) per annum, which will skyrocket to a minimum $US1 million, plus bonuses, if he makes the Chargers’ 53-man squad.
Jordan Mailata after the Eagles’ victory in the Super Bowl.Credit: AP
Petaia’s agent, Andrew Fairbairn, said it was a massive win for his client, who took a gamble on cracking the NFL after his Rugby Australia contract expired at the end of 2024.
“We are thrilled for Jordy, who has quietly planned this move to the NFL for some time,” Fairbairn said. “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 was the best fit for him as he takes his first step in the NFL.”