‘I’d be silly not to...’: Giant Roosters player reveals shock chance at NFL switch

Giant Roosters forward De La Salle Va'a is set to ask the club for a release so he can pursue an NFL career.

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In his bid to become the next Jordan Mailata, Va'a will ask the Roosters, who he is contracted to until the end of 2027, for 10 weeks off to try and impress scouts via the NFL's International Pathways Program.

Va'a, has played three first grade games for the Roosters, one in each season from 2024 with his most recent appearance for the tricolours in Round 27 against Souths.

Standing at 200cm and weighing 120kg, Va'a told the Sydney Morning Herald that there had been interest from the NFL.

"They've reached out and invited me to some trials. I think I'd be silly to not at least give it a crack, see how it goes. Obviously, I still have commitments here with the Roosters, and when the time comes, I'll have those conversations with them. I think it would be silly of me not to at least have a crack," he said.

"The plan is to ask for a 10-week release (from the Roosters) because if I make it through to the camp, the IPP, that goes for 10 weeks."

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Mailata was forced out of rugby league after playing for Souths in the under 20s.

His 203cm frame and 147kg weight made him too big to play rugby league and keep up with the pace of the game, but the NFL has suited him.

He's won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles and the offensive tackle's last contract was worth upwards of $100 million.

The last NRL player to make an NFL team was Jarryd Hayne who impressed the San Francisco 49ers enough to offer him a contract and he went on to make eight appearances before being cut from the squad.

Va'a, 21, knows he will face a difficult task trying to earn an NFL deal.

"It's very rare that you see players go over and successfully make it … so why not give it a crack and try to follow in their footsteps?" Va'a said.

"Obviously, I'm big enough to play offensive line if I put on some size, but they said, based off the video footage, they felt my athleticism could also put me in potentially another position. So, I guess I'll have to wait until they see me in person and make that decision for themselves."