Ben Te Kura’s NRL career has been put on hold, but the towering Brisbane Broncos forward now has the chance to pursue one of the biggest opportunities available to any Australian athlete. Standing at 205cm, the giant prop has been granted an immediate release by Brisbane as he chases an NFL contract in the United States.
The Broncos confirmed on Thursday that Te Kura has been released from the remainder of his contract to continue his pursuit of an NFL career after impressing scouts during a six-week training camp earlier this year. The 22-year-old will now relocate to Arizona, where he will continue training ahead of the upcoming NFL preseason as he attempts to earn a spot on an active roster.
For Brisbane, the decision was an easy one.
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General manager of football Troy Thomson said the club wanted to support Te Kura in chasing what could become a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“This is an incredible opportunity and one we felt was important to help facilitate,” Thomson said.
“Everyone at the Broncos wishes Ben and his family all the very best for the future.”
Te Kura also paid tribute to the Broncos after confirming his departure.
“I’m very grateful to the Broncos for everything they’ve done to support me in pursuing an opportunity in the NFL,” he said.
“Making my NRL debut for the Broncos against the Storm in 2024 was such an unbelievable moment for myself and my family. I owe the club so much for the faith they’ve had in me right from day one.”
While Te Kura played only five NRL games for Brisbane, his rare combination of height, athleticism and size has made him an intriguing prospect for NFL franchises. His measurements have drawn comparisons to Philadelphia Eagles star Jordan Mailata, who famously transitioned from rugby league to American football through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program before becoming one of the league’s premier offensive tackles and a Super Bowl champion.
The Broncos had already shown their support for Te Kura’s ambitions earlier this year by granting him leave to attend the NFL training camp, signalling the club understood the magnitude of the opportunity. Now, with preseason camps only weeks away, the Queensland club has allowed him to fully commit to chasing an NFL roster spot.
If Te Kura succeeds, the financial rewards could be extraordinary.
Mailata’s most recent contract extension with Philadelphia is reportedly worth more than AUD $100 million, highlighting the enormous earning potential available to international athletes who establish themselves in the NFL. While Te Kura still has plenty of work ahead before reaching those heights, the pathway has already been proven.
His departure also continues a growing trend of Australian rugby league talent exploring opportunities in American football. Valentine Holmes previously spent time with the New York Jets, while Jordan Mailata’s remarkable rise has inspired a new generation of players to consider the NFL as a genuine career option.
For now, Te Kura’s focus shifts from the NRL to the United States, where one impressive preseason could change his life forever. It’s a gamble, but one with potentially enormous rewards for the young Broncos forward.
