Footy star Valentine Holmes says he is keen to return to rugby league - and his million-dollar salary - if his ambitious bid to make the NFL fails
- Valentine Holmes left the NRL to play for the New York Jets in the NFL in the US
- Holmes is hoping to make the 53-man squad for the Jets at the end of the month
- If he doesn't get chosen Holmes will earn $190,000 and won't be able to play
Former rugby league star Valentine Holmes says is keen return to the NRL if he doesn't make the cut in the NFL.
Holmes, 24, was earning a $1million salary with his former team the Cronulla Sharks before he made the switch in April to become an American football player with the New York Jets.
Holmes has just weeks left to impress the Jets' coaches enough to land a spot in the final 53-man roster.
If he fails to make the team, Holmes is guaranteed a spot on the practice squad - meaning he will make a fraction of his salary in Australia and will be unable to play in games.
Former rugby league star Valentine Holmes (pictured with wife Natalia) says is keen return to the NRL if he doesn't make the cut in the NFL
He said he was open to return to Australia and the NRL if he doesn't make it as an NFL player.
'That's what I know best. I've been playing rugby league since I was a kid,' Holmes told News Corp Australia.
'This is definitely what I'm here to do and trying to make (it) but if all things go downhill and not for me, I guess I could always go back,' he said.
If Holmes is dropped to the Jets practice squad he will receive a salary of AU$190,000.
Holmes is currently training 14 hours a day with 89 other hopefuls in training camp in preparation for NFL pre-season games that begin on Friday.
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The camp is being held at the Jets' sprawling, multi-million dollar training centre in New Jersey.
Holmes said he would feel comfortable returning to his old Sharks team mates but conceded he wouldn't be able to fit in seamlessly.
'I know they've got a really good team there at the moment and they've got some young guys coming up so it might be kinda hard to get back in there. But it all depends on how everything goes here and we'll weigh everything else up later,' he said.
If Holmes is dropped to the Jets practice squad he will receive a salary of $190,000 - a far cry from the $1million he was on in Australia
Holmes will have to learn an extensive list of plays if he is to make the Jets' squad.
He has been practicing as a running back, wide receiver and punt returner as he tries to impress Jets head coach Adam Gase.
'I'm excited to see him get to play in some games and just kind of see how he reacts to all of that,' Gase said.
'It's just when everything starts moving super fast he's trying to get used to that and I think it's starting to work for him.'
Holmes said he would feel comfortable returning to his old Sharks team mates but conceded he wouldn't be able to fit in seamlessly
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