The NFL has a record-tying seven games internationally this 2025 season, spread across four countries other than the United States. Brazil, Ireland, England, Germany and Spain will all host NFL games this season.
The NFL can do a better job at recruiting more international athletes into the NFL; that is why an expansion overseas only makes sense.
In 2017, the NFL launched the International Player Pathway program (IPP) to find elite global talent and give select athletes the chance to develop their skills and earn an NFL roster spot. Since the beginning of the program, 41 players have been signed to NFL teams, with 23 IPP players currently on active rosters.
Many IPP players have made an impact in the NFL. Super Bowl winner for the Philadelphia Eagles, Jordan Mailata, won last season against the Kansas City Chiefs. He is the first Australian player to win and start in a Super Bowl. This offensive tackle helped the Eagles win a ring with his elite blocking for future Hall of Famer Saquon Barkley.
The program gives international athletes a valuable chance to showcase their skills at a higher level and potentially reach the NFL.
This program would be better off if it started similar programs like the NBA does. The NBA has the G-League, which is a feeder league into the NBA. Players play in the G-League with the hopes of making an NBA roster and competing in the best basketball league in the world.
A similar system should be applied to the NFL. The league has the United Football League (UFL), but it features only eight teams and is mostly made up of American players. To bring in more international talent quickly, the NFL should create an international developmental league directly partnered with the organization. This would greatly expand the global talent pool.
Leagues like the European League of Football (ELF) and the International Football Alliance (IFA) are great examples of how the NFL can bring more international players to the NFL.
Matej Bencek, a former offensive lineman for the Frankfurt Galaxy, discussed the reality for many ELF players.
“The ELF has opened the door for many talented players to showcase their skills on a bigger stage through the ELF,” Bencek said.
“Several athletes gained visibility and earned spots in the IPP; however, the reality is that only a few players actually make it to IPP, with a huge gap between ELF and NFL financially, structurally, and professionally.”
The NFL should partner with international leagues — not just to select players for the IPP, but to create a league for both international athletes and unsigned free agents to compete for roster spots. This would expand the talent pool and give more international players the chance to make an impact.
Some may question why the league should look overseas when there’s plenty of talent in the United States. The reality is that the NFL is a global business seeking growth. The increasing number of international games shows the league’s interest in foreign markets. If regular-season games can be played abroad, why not recruit there too?
“It would be great if the NFL looked to Europe more often outside of the IPP program and perhaps structured leagues better through coaching clinics, training programs, and educational initiatives,” Bancek said
Bancek said “more support” will create opportunities for talented players.
“European leagues will never have the financial power of the NFL, but with more support, the gap could be reduced, and opportunities for talented players would grow,” Bancek said.
Ben Baierl, a defensive tackle of the Berlin Thunder, discussed the rarity of making a jump to the NFL from the ELF.
“A small number of players get a chance to compete in the IPP,” Baierl said.
Baierl also discussed the growth of American Football globally.
“Fans are more interested in American football,” Baierl said. “They are bringing a lot more NFL games to Europe so that fans can see their favorite teams play in person. They are trying to expand in Europe, which is cool.”
The NFL has all the resources needed to start an international league. The question is: Why not?
Breakdown of International games this season:
Brazil (Week 1):
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo
Ireland (Week 4):
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings in Dublin
England (Week 5):
Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings in London
England (Week 6):
Denver Broncos vs. New York Jets in London
England (Week 7):
Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars in London
Germany (Week 10):
Atlanta Falcons vs. Indianapolis Colts in Berlin
Spain (Week 11):
Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Commanders in Madrid
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
