Valentine Holmes has been released from the New York Jets’ practice squad as the former NRL star eyes a return to Australia to resume his rugby league career.
The 24-year-old Holmes joined New York in April as a running back-wide receiver as part of the NFL’s international player pathway program.
North Queensland is expected to be his NRL destination.
A premiership player in the NRL for Cronulla, Holmes headed to the United States for a chance to pursue his dream of playing American football in the NFL.
Holmes took part in off-season workouts, training camp and the pre-season with New York but failed to land a berth on Jets’ roster for the current NFL season.
His release clears the way for a return to the NRL where he has been strongly linked to a move to North Queensland.
Any deal with the Cowboys will be reportedly worth around $1 million a season.
Despite missing a place on the Jets’ roster, Holmes remained in the American football system.
As part of the NFL’s program, all four AFC East teams received an extra spot on their practice squads this season for players to continue working.
Holmes had one year left on his NRL deal and passed up a reported $700,000 when he was granted a release from his Sharks contract after the 2018 season.
As one of the bona fide stars of the NRL, Holmes was a key member of Cronulla’s 2016 premiership campaign and became a fixture in Queensland and Australian sides.
Speaking about his NFL experience before the start of the regular season, Holmes said he was thankful for the chance.
“Yeah, it’s been awesome,” he told the New York Jets website.
“I’m excited I got to play in all four (pre-season) 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.”
Malo
Guest
Cowboys just another version of the Titans. Place to get paid with no chance of getting into the top 8.
kk
Roar Pro
In a word, irreplaceable! But if you find one I'll go you halves.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I was just improving the examples for DB's argument I wasn't suggesting that the same applies to NRL players who are NFL wannabes. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
That's why there are so many toilet breaks for viewers scheduled into the game to give them time to recover and drink more beer and then relieve themselves! :laughing:
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
And after 2020 he still may not have had a run in the NRL. Steven Marsters is only 19 years old so he has plenty of time ahead of him... unlike Darius Boyd. ;-)
Clanger McClunk
Guest
In all the excitement of Val coming back, joining the Cowboys and to play fullback, what happens to Scott Drinkwater?? Drinkwater is a very good fullback who was Melbourne's first choice to replace Billy Slater until he was injured and lost his place to Papenhuyzen. Coming to the Cowboys he slotted in quite well and showed glimpses of the class that he has. It would be a shame to see him dumped so suddenly without given a realistic chance to make the No1 jumper his own.
Nat
Roar Guru
Luckily they don't need him to kick. Your boy hasn't had a first grade run yet has he?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
You’re absolutely right I have no understanding of how a game with so little going for it is so venerated. Guilty. I don’t see where I suggested that it isn’t tough to play.. I’m sure it is… even tougher to watch
Rob
Guest
A great goal kicking comp. coming up in the preseason. Feldt, Clifford, Homes and Masters is a handy line up.
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
Luckily we just signed another kicker
Griffo 09
Roar Rookie
So it's not like those at all...
Andrew
Guest
Might be a trivial point - but it is unclear and seems possibly important. Did Holmes ask for a release or has he been cut? The difference being he either gave up o his "dream" or he was told by the Jets, it wouldn't happen. Maybe the jets saw the Aussie media guessing about him coming back and thought his heart couldn't be in it, so cut him. The other trivial reason that is important is because, it prevents dart throwers like Hooper from claiming they were right. Holmes had always indicated he would like to go home to NQ at some point, so anyone of us could have created that narrative at any point in time. If the Jets have cut him, it says the media were wrong; Holmes planned on staying but was given little choice but to return to the NRL.
Albo
Roar Rookie
And a replacement for the great Jonathan Thurston !
Rob
Guest
The good league players should all start doing this. Get a paid holiday over in America and then walk back into a big deal in the NRL.
Chop
Roar Guru
And you have absolutely no understanding of the game if you think it's not tough to play. He's coming back because he couldn't play NFL, not because he's succeeded.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I think Souths have signed the faster Marsters mate. The Cowboys signed the slower version who misses conversions from directly in front of the posts. :laughing:
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
What would they both sing DPS? "When the Saints come marching in"? ;-) :laughing:
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
No, give Souths Radradra. The Bunnies will make better use of him. ;-)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Michael Jordan playing baseball comes to mind here." Jordan was decidedly average at baseball. A better example would have been Deon Sanders who excelled as BOTH a baseball and NFL player. Better still Bo Jackson excelled at both NFL and baseball and is the ONLY professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both sports! However, both Sanders and Jackson grew up playing BOTH sports. Valentine Holmes and Jarryd Hayne DIDN'T and that is a huge reason behind their failure to make it in the NFL.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
The NFL has too many breaks and pauses and train their athletes for sudden bursts of speed and power not for endurance. As a result, and given the effect that had on Jarryd Hayne, I wonder how Holmes will go consistently over 80 mins. I think he will struggle to be anywhere near where he was when he left during his first season back. As Holmes is still young and at least 3 years younger than Jarryd Hayne was after returning from the NFL I think Holmes as every chance of getting back to his best but NOT in his first season. I think 2020 will be a recovery season for the kid.