Former NRL star Valentine Holmes has officially been signed by an NFL franchise, with the New York Jets confirming they have added the ex-Sharks back to their roster.
The former Queensland State of Origin and Australian representative has been signed under the international player pathway program in the NFL.
The contract will see Holmes play in all four pre-season games for the Jets, and then have a chance at cracking the 53-man squad.
Reports suggested he wouldn’t be able to play in the regular season under the terms of his deal, however, according to the NFL, he will have a chance to compete for a spot through practice and pre-season games.
If Holmes doesn’t make the 53-man squad, he will have a guaranteed spot on the Jets practice squad as an additional 11th player.
It could be said Holmes going down this path and not signing as a free agent shows his commitment to the cause, given he is unlikely to play regular season matches until at least 2020.
He will spend the season learning from those around him, and then seek a full contract for the following season.
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According to the Jets official statement, Holmes will be listed as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner, and was only notified by a call from the general manager this morning, Australian time.
Four teams signed up to the international player pathway program this season, with each side then receiving players in a random draw. The Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots were the other teams allocated a player, with Holmes falling to the Jets as the last player announced.
The other players respectively were former England national rugby player Christian Wade, Durval Neto and Jakob Johnson, while three others didn’t make the cut.
Holmes is the second high-profile NRL player to make the switch to the NFL in the last few years, following in the footsteps of Jarryd Hayne.
The 23-year-old left the NRL as one of the best in the game, having stamped his authority on the Cronulla Sharks fullback jumper, as well as establishing himself on the wing in both the Queensland and Australian teams.
He finished seventh in the 2018 Dally M race and left a huge hole to fill at the Sharks.
There had been reports in recent weeks Holmes was homesick and looking to sign with the North Queensland Cowboys, however there’s no chance of that happening anytime soon.
Holmes reportedly impressed scouts with some impressive results at the international players combine last week, with his unofficial 40-yard dash time coming in at 4.45 seconds. That time came despite him having put on four kilograms since arriving in the USA.
The NFL official pre-season games, which Holmes will play under his contract with the Jets, will commence in August. Official fixtures and dates are yet to be announced.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Yeah I have to say I've been accused of many things in my life but not watching enough NRL is not one of them. My wife would have a good chuckle at that one.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"and offloads are dying too" Offloads are NOT dying mate. If anything second phase play has a bigger impact in games today than it did 5 years ago when the Rabbitohs, the Roosters and the Storm used to demolish defences with their big forwards in the middle third and play off rolling hitups and quick play the balls. These days, more often than not, when momentum shifts late in a match it is after tired defences are unable to lock up the ball and the attacking side is able to run a defence ragged with multiple offloads in the one tackle. Contracted defences are caught short and playmakers take advantage of staggered or broken defensive lines and space out wide. Are you sure that YOU are watching enough NRL mate?
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I don't know where you hail from Don but we use electric lights now. The last time I used a candle was during a blackout. I hope you get your power restored soon. LOL "sometimes the only way you can feel good about yourself is by making someone else look bad. And I’m tired of making other people feel good about themselves" - Homer Simpson
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The failed JH38 experiment will only negatively affect Holmes's chances I feel. Judging from backlash from US Sports journalists and the chorus of "I told you so's" I think Holmes faces an uphill battle to be taken seriously and this is more about the NFL promoting the game overseas while the NFL franchises cash in on the publicity just like the 49ers did with Hayne.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Identical words were said of Hayne.
Wayne Turner
Guest
Don't get too excited. He hasn't made it yet. He's been picked to play reserve grade like for the New York Jets. Get back to me when he makes the team proper.Which is still long odds.He's more likely not to make it. This is not a dig at V Holmes,good on him for trying,but a dig at the media reporting of this,including here.
lewl
Guest
No, the guys I'm talking about didn't play football and weren't fans of football - so they didn't know a lot more about the game. Jimmy Graham, George Fant (played 1 year after it became clear Basketball wasn't going to work out, in a bad college program with no previous experience and learned on the spot), Rico Gathers... let's not forget that Holmes has been exposed to high level coaches over there for months now. I'm comparing Holmes to offensive players because every indicator is that his non-ST role will be offense. There is a third faster guy, but all indications are he hasn't signed his tender yet so not part of the team (Anderson). Even if you include defense, there are only 2 more guys with better 40 times - the Jets are one of the slower teams in the NFL right now. I think he has a chance, sure. The Jets aren't deep with talent at receiver, and just lost their pro bowl kick/punt returner.. Do I think he has a very good chance? Not really (the other offensive position he might compete for - RB - has both talent starting in Le'Veon, and decent depth), but many stranger things have happened. I certainly hope he does well - but you seem to be mistaking my appreciation for facts in a discussion (rather than just what you think with no reflection on the realities of the situation) over just thinking 'our guy' will come out on top no matter than odds. The last thing to note is that, unless Holmes is impatient and decides to come back immediately, not making the cut this season isn't failure - yet. If he's not ready by cut down day come September (yes, by accepting this offer he has ruled himself out of the entire 2019 NRL season), he essentially has an extra year of preparation (guaranteed by the IPP) to continue his learning and training and make another run at a roster for the 2020 season before you could really label him a failure. After all, many players have gone on to be very good NFL players after being cut initially.
piru
Roar Rookie
No worries mate, I could tell!
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
What for, you're entitled to your opinion, I disagree. In my opinion, not that is matters anyway, Holmes will most likely fail (as the facts back this up) and he'll be back in the NRL by 2020.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I was saying The Barry,'s reply was clever. If you disagree ,take it up with him. I doubt you could change my opinion or his.
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
Hey Townsville is awesome!!!
Paul
Roar Guru
I think the aim your describing is a by product of the real aim which is to get talent to play from where ever they can. It's only been in recent years the NFL scouts have looked outside North America and Europe but are now finding guys they can groom to be elite players, hence this programme and no doubt there are others like it.
Paul
Roar Guru
Remember Holmes has signed a one year contract that attempts to teach him the basics of the game and improve his skills to the point where he MIGHT be good enough to score a proper NFL contract and play for a side. There are SO many guys, in the tens of thousands at college, in other leagues, playing gridiron in America who are all super close to Holmes in terms of skills & way more advanced in terms of knowledge. This contract gives him a leg in, but all these other guys are all pressing for limited positions as well, hence my comment a small fish in a big sea
Brendan Jones
Roar Rookie
No, it wasn’t.
James Jones
Guest
Yep , not a bad story to have up ya sleeve, over a few beers .
Reesy
Roar Rookie
Kudos to him and good luck to him. He’s sacrificed an easy $1m contract in the NRL for a chance of a lifetime. I think the likes of Rothfield and Kent giving him a hard time for coming back into the country and not talking to the media are out of line. He’s under no obligation to speak to them and is no longer beholden to a game run by the media. It’s not in his interest to create any sort of Jaryd Hayne style hype about his opportunity. Strikes me as guy who’d rather avoid that in any case. Hope he makes it.
westernred
Not an NFL fan. A fun game to play without all the bands etc. but Holmes a small fish in a big sea? I believe only about 100000 actually play the game. Correct me if I am wrong.
Birdy
Roar Rookie
That was clever
The Barry
Roar Guru
Now we know what back-pedalling sounds like...
Worlds Biggest
Guest
well said BD, why bag the guy for having a crack. Anthony Maroon was similarly negative last week on MMM. Good on him for chasing a dream, he is fortunate enough to have achieved plenty in the NRL already. Some of these journos just can’t fathom that an NRL player wants to switch codes, it’s extremely arrogant and narrow minded. The world is very big place with much to conquer / achieve should one want to have a crack. The guy should be congratulated.