International Player Pathway (IPP) is a program run by the National Football League (NFL) to increase the number of players from outside the United States or Canada in the NFL. The program was formed as part of the NFL's strategy to grow globally as it provides athletes with the opportunity to play in the league. Its aim is to increase the pool of talent and ultimately drive global fan growth.
Background
The International Player Pathway (IPP) program was not the first initiative by the NFL to introduce foreign talent into its pool of players and neither is it, as yet, the longest running. The first such program was the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program that ran between 2004 and 2009. Following a short hiatus of seven years there was a single incarnation of NFL Undiscovered in 2016 and building immediately on the success of that trial the IPPP was instituted in 2017.
NFL International Development Practice Squad Program The NFL International Practice Squad Program was an initiative run by the NFL in which selected players from outside the United States or Canada were assigned to the practice squads of NFL teams. The program began in 2004Bill Williamson, International practice-squad players assigned , ESPN, June 12, 2008. and was concluded five years later in 2009 but during that time many players from a multitude of nationsNFL Expands International Practice Squad Program , The News Tribune, May 23, 2008. were given the opportunity to play in the NFL or other professional football leagues like the Arena Football League, the United Football League and the Canadian Football League.
NFL Undiscovered Two British-born former NFL players, Aden Durde (NFLUK head of football development) and two-time Super Bowl winner Osi Umenyiora, were concerned that there were no clear pathways into the NFL for players who had not gone to high school and/or college in the United States, and, as a result, the NFL was potentially missing out on some exceptional players. Wanting to remedy this, in early 2016, they used their personal and professional contacts from their time in the NFL to create a training program and to set up meetings and tryouts with NFL teams for a small number of specially selected football players. These players' potential had been scouted primarily by watching YouTube videos. The initial group of players all lived, worked and played amateur football in Europe. At the time, the program was not yet officially named the International Player Pathway, but it was fully sanctioned and supported by the NFL. Additionally, the League had commissioned a mini-series documentary to be made, called NFL Undiscovered, that followed the participants of the program.
In 2017, the IPP was implemented with systems for choosing which division sponsors the program annually, as well as special regulations applying to the teams being assigned the players. The program has grown every year since its launch and, as of 2020, more than half (19 of 32) of all NFL teams have signed international players as a direct result of the program.
Eligibility In 2017, potential applicants to NFL Undiscovered were asked to meet specific requirements and were advised to follow a particular application process. Some of these criteria have either changed over time or there is some discretion applied during the selection process, as not all the athletes that have come through the program in the intervening years meet all of the following criteria. age 24 or younger out of high school (or equivalent) for at least four years did not play football at an American college ability to speak English not a citizen of the U.S. or Canada must be available and eligible to travel to the U.S. for two months from the first week in March
Roster regulations The NFL has specific regulations for players that sign through the IPP. The teams to which each IPP player is assigned are allowed 91 players on their off-season rosters, one more than those teams that are not participating in the IPP that year. At the point when these rosters need to be cut to 53 (at the end of pre-season), the participating teams must decide the status of their IPP players.
First, the team can keep their IPP player on their 53-man roster. If they waive the player, he goes through the NFL's waiver system, which allows him to be claimed by another team. If he clears waivers, the team can sign the player to their practice squad. If they do, they may elect to take an exemption for the IPP player, giving them an extra spot on their practice squad. If they utilize the exemption, that player cannot be signed to the active roster of any team during the season, but starting in 2024 the player can be elevated for up to three games. If the exemption is declined, the player is treated like any other practice squad player, and can be promoted to a team's active roster. If the player chooses to sign with a team other than the one to which he was assigned, that team may not claim the exemption.
Notable participants
+ Players who participated in the NFL Undiscovered and International Player Pathway programs Season Player Nationality Background Position Drafted Debut team2016FranceFootballWide receiverNoNew York Giants GermanyWide receiverYesMinnesota Vikings2017United KingdomRugby unionTight endNoAtlanta FalconsGermanyFootballLinebackerNoTampa Bay BuccaneersUnited KingdomDefensive endNoCarolina Panthers2018GermanyRunning backNoBaltimore RavensAustraliaRugby leagueOffensive tackleYesPhiladelphia EaglesUnited KingdomFootballDefensive backNoCleveland BrownsRugby unionTight endNoPittsburgh Steelers2019AustraliaRugby leagueRunning backNoNew York JetsGermanyFootballFullbackNoNew England PatriotsBrazilDefensive tackleNoMiami DolphinsUnited KingdomRugby unionRunning backNoBuffalo Bills2020MexicoFootballOffensive tackleNoDallas CowboysGermanyDefensive tackleNoWashington Football TeamAustraliaAustralian rulesDefensive endNoPhiladelphia EaglesAustriaFootballRunning backNoNew York Giants2021 Germany Defensive endNoSeattle Seahawks Mexico Offensive tackleNoSan Francisco 49ers Italy Handball Offensive tackleNoLos Angeles Rams Chile Basketball Tight endNoWashington Football Team Austria FootballTight endNoArizona Cardinals 2022 Germany CornerbackNoIndianapolis Colts Nigeria Offensive tackleNoNew York Giants Offensive tackleNoArizona Cardinals United Kingdom Defensive endNoHouston Texans Netherlands Tight endNoTennessee Titans Nigeria Basketball Defensive endNoKansas City Chiefs United Kingdom Football Strong safetyNoJacksonville Jaguars2023 France Defensive lineNoMinnesota Vikings Nigeria Basketball Defensive lineNoLos Angeles Chargers Football Offensive tackleNoDenver Broncos Basketball Defensive lineNoLas Vegas Raiders Offensive tackleNoKansas City Chiefs Basketball Defensive lineNoGreen Bay Packers 2024 United Kingdom Rugby union Running backNoKansas City Chiefs Ireland Gaelic football PlacekickerNoNew Orleans Saints GermanyFootball Offensive linemanNoTampa Bay Buccaneers Australia Australian rules Tight endNoJacksonville Jaguars United Kingdom Rugby union Offensive guardYesBuffalo Bills Dominican Republic Basketball Offensive tackleNoMiami Dolphins Australia Rugby league Defensive endNoNew England Patriots Nigeria Track and field Wide receiverNoLos Angeles Chargers Ireland Gaelic football PlacekickerNoNew York Giants Australia Rugby league Offensive tackleNoPhiladelphia Eagles The Bahamas FootballDefensive tackleNoDallas Cowboys Australia Tight endNoDenver Broncos United Kingdom Defensive tackleNoLos Angeles Rams Australia Football PlacekickerNoGreen Bay Packers Germany Football LinebackerNoPittsburgh Steelers Germany Football Offensive tackleNoHouston Texans2025Lenny KriegGermanyFootballPlacekickerNoAtlanta Falcons Australia Rugby union Tight endNoLos Angeles Chargers Zimbabwe Rugby union Defensive endNoWashington Commanders United Kingdom Football Defensive tackleNoCincinnati Bengals United Kingdom Football Defensive endNoCarolina Panthers Germany Football Offensive tackleNoNew York Jets Australia Rugby union Defensive linemanNoLas Vegas Raiders Australia Football PunterNoMinnesota Vikings Ireland Gaelic football PlacekickerNoGreen Bay Packers Germany Football Tight endNoIndianapolis Colts Puerto Rico Football Offensive guardNoSeattle Seahawks Austria Football Offensive tackleNoArizona Cardinals Luke Felix-FualaloAustraliaFootballOffensive tackleNoPhiladelphia Eagles2026Seydou TraoreUnited KingdomFootballTight endYesMiami DolphinsUar BernardNigeriaFootballDefensive endYesPhiladelphia Eagles
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