Jaguars sign International Player Pathway TE Patrick Murtagh

The Jaguars have added a former Australian rugby player in Patrick Murtagh to its roster.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed tight end Patrick Murtagh, the team announced today.

Here’s some background on Murtagh via the team’s press release.

Murtagh, 6-6, 250, is a member of the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program Class of 2024. He was a national-level decathlete and a Queensland state champion in high school. Murtagh was awarded a place on Australia’s Commonwealth pathway before deciding to pursue a career in Australian Rules Football. He signed with the AFL’s Gold Coast Suns at the age of 19 and spent time with the Suns until September 2022, before originally pursuing his opportunity with the NFL’s International Player Pathway program in 2023. After a successful training camp 2023, Murtagh was assigned to the Detroit Lions for the NFL season. After spending a week in Detroit, he had to leave due to an undisclosed medical issue.

“As an IPP player, Murtagh can stay with the Jaguars through training camp,” according to Jaguars.com. “If he does not make the 53-player roster, he can be carried as an extra “developmental” player on the practice squad.”

“It’s a great feeling, getting the contract signed, and getting day one all completed now,” Murtagh said in an interview with the team via Jaguars PR. “The work’s only just started now so I’m excited to get into it.”

“A tremendous amount of work’s been put in. A lot of behind-the-scenes work as well before, trying to get into the IPP. That’s a credit to my friends, my family, the team back home, and my network that have put in the hours to get me back in shape and ready to go to the IPP.”

“It’s a bit like a first day of school sort of vibe today. It was pretty cool meeting all the coaches, all the staff, all the players and everything and just finding my feet around here.”

“I love the beaches and the warm weather, so at Jacksonville, I’m happy to call this place home.”

As part of the transaction, Jacksonville released defensive back Ayo Oyelola, who was originally signed through the International Player Pathway program on May 3rd, 2022. The London native was a practice squad member and did not appear in a game for the Jaguars.