Holmes’ boost hits Cowboys
A SECRET $4.5 million proposed deal between Valentine Holmes and the Cowboys is in tatters after the Queensland Origin star yesterday kept his NFL dream alive by securing a practice spot with the New York Jets.
North Queensland’s handshake deal with Holmes on a five-year, $900,000-aseason contract is now in limbo as the Maroons ace prepares to take up a basic $180,000 deal with the Jets.
Holmes had hatched a contingency plan to join the Cowboys until the end of 2024 if he failed in his attempt to crack the NFL following a three-month stint at the IMG Academy in Florida.
But New York yesterday confirmed Holmes had been placed in their practice squad under the NFL’s International Player Program, prompting Holmes to declare: “I’m with the Jets, baby”.
The 23-year-old returned to Australia on Monday with his future uncertain but after receiving a phone call from the Jets 12 hours later, Holmes will fly to New York in a fortnight to ramp up his pursuit of an NFL debut.
The development hurts North Queensland’s recruitment plans. The Cowboys were confident of having Holmes for the 2020 season.
Holmes will train with the Jets for the entire 2019 NFL regular-season which runs from September 5 to December 29 – by which time NRL clubs have ostensibly finalised their full-time rosters under the salary cap.
“It’s very disappointing for us. There’s no chance at all he will be in the NRL this year,” Cowboys head of football Peter Parr said.
“The question is how long are we prepared to wait?”
THERE’S NO CHANCE AT ALL HE WILL BE IN THE NRL THIS YEAR COWBOYS OFFICIAL PETER PARR