The Broncos have announced Ben Te Kura has been given permission to take absence from the club to chase his dream of playing in the NFL.
The hulking forward has made no secret of his desire to chase the opportunity to play in the NFL, but nobody would have expected the tallest player in NRL history to depart the club this quickly.
The Broncos have cleared a path for the 22-year-old to make that dream happen with a promise he has the club’s permission to chase an NFL career for a long as he likes, despite being under contract through to the end of the 2027 season.
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“The Brisbane Broncos have granted permission for Ben Te Kura to take a six-week absence from club NRL squad commitments,” the club said in a statement.
“He has been the subject of long-term interest from the NFL and the Broncos have approved Te Kura’s attendance at a six-week NFL training camp, which is currently underway.
“At the conclusion of the six-week period, Te Kura will either return to Broncos’ training, or the club will extend his absence to facilitate further steps towards a possible NFL opportunity in the United States.”
Code Sports last year reported up to 20 NFL teams had shown interest in Te Kura.
Code Sports now reports Te Kura has been absent from Broncos’ training this month and has not played in the Queensland Cup.
The outlet reports Te Kura’s dream will begin with an eight week training program at the NFL’s Australia-based Academy on the Gold Coast.
With the permission of the NRL and the Broncos, Te Kura can be signed by any interested NFL franchises under the league’s International Pathway Program — the same development system that saw Valentine Holmes sign with the New York Jets.
NFL scouts, including NFLPA Certified Contract Adviser, Dwane Budgen, said last year Te Kura has the physical strengths NFL teams are looking for.
“Ben Te Kura is suited to the NFL. He’s athletic and has a great arm span. That’s what the NFL looks for,” he told SEN.
Te Kura is hoping to emulate what former Rabbitohs junior Jordan Mailata has accomplished in the NFL as an offensive lineman.
Mailata tasted Super Bowl success last year as he became the first Australian to play in and win a Super Bowl.
Under his current contract with the Eagles, Mailata is also one of the top five highest-paid Australian athletes with earnings estimated up to $33 million per year.
Te Kura said last month he was interested in chasing that dream “down the track”.
“I do enjoy watching NFL,” Te Kura told Code Sports last month.
“It’s cool what Mailata has done. It’s pretty unbelievable, but the fact he did it from rugby league opens up a pathway for people from Australia and gives you that belief that you can do it.”
