Jake Paul has built a career around pursuing challenges that others consider unlikely. The boxer holds a 12-2 professional record and now says football could be next. During an interview with Front Office Sports, Paul said he had spoken with a couple of NFL teams and coaches about potentially joining a roster after his boxing career.
The 29-year-old did not identify any team or coach, and no NFL organization has publicly confirmed his account. His comments quickly generated attention and skepticism across sports media.
Jake Paul reveals his NFL ambitions
Paul publicly discussed pursuing football in June, saying he wanted to play slot receiver after finishing his boxing career. He also floated the idea of joining a college program before attempting to reach the NFL. Recently, he has spoken about it with far more detail and certainty.
Paul later told Front Office Sports that teams and coaches had contacted him about potentially adding him to a roster. He separately identified wide receiver as his preferred position and described the proposed transition as relatively easy.
The interview took place at Fanatics Fest NYC, which ran from July 16 through July 19 at the Javits Center. Paul presented football as a possible post-boxing career, although he has not announced a tryout or formal agreement with a team.
Boxing star talks with NFL coaches
: Paul did not identify the coaches or teams he says contacted him. He claimed that a couple of teams and coaches had shown interest and described a possible move to football as relatively simple. That lack of detail has fueled plenty of skepticism among football insiders.
Front Office Sports published a video excerpt containing Paul’s comments on July 22. Several boxing and football outlets subsequently reported his statements, and their coverage quickly spread to other outlets covering both boxing and football. No NFL team or coach had publicly confirmed contacting Paul as of early August.
His account remains an unverified claim coming directly from Paul, and he has built much of his public brand on headlines just like this one.
Cleveland Browns remain his dream team
Paul identified the Cleveland Browns as his preferred NFL team. The Cleveland-area native said he has supported the franchise throughout his life and described his mother as a diehard Browns fan. That family connection appears to drive his interest in the franchise.
Paul has said he wants to play slot receiver after boxing. During the Front Office Sports interview, he also suggested that Cleveland could use stronger receivers, though that assessment reflects his personal opinion rather than the team’s actual position.
His remarks generated substantial attention and criticism across football media. However, the Browns had not publicly confirmed any contact with Paul as of early August, though the buzz shows how much attention Paul draws just by naming a team.
Fun fact: Paul is engaged to Dutch Olympic speed skater Jutta Leerdam.
Cowboys also showed early interest before
: Before identifying Cleveland as his preferred destination, Paul mentioned both the Browns and Dallas Cowboys as teams he had considered approaching. He did not say that the Cowboys had contacted him or formally expressed interest.
Paul also floated the possibility of attempting to walk on at Stanford before pursuing an NFL opportunity. He said college football could give him experience and provide teams with evidence of his abilities, but he has not announced an enrollment or tryout. Mentioning both teams doesn’t necessarily conflict with his stated preference.
Paul has described the Browns as his dream team while separately noting the Cowboys as an earlier option, and he has not elaborated on why he brought up both teams in his comments.
Paul dismisses NFL talent as mediocre
During the interview, Paul criticized the level of some NFL players, referring to what he called super mediocrity in the league. He also criticized players who regularly drop passes. He specifically claimed many receivers lack the tools needed to stand out.
Paul claimed that he has better hands, speed, strength, and work ethic than some current players. He said he would mainly need to practice running routes after finishing his boxing career.
Fans quickly pushed back online, with many calling the remarks dismissive of the sport. His comments also drew criticism from football reporters and former players, who argued that his remarks minimized the years of specialized preparation required to compete in the NFL. The debate has kept the story circulating widely online.
His long absence from football raises questions
Public reporting places Paul’s last documented organized football experience at Westlake High School in Ohio. He left the school after 2 years to pursue an entertainment career, which means more than a decade has passed since he last played competitively. That gap of well over a decade fuels doubt about his NFL chances.
Professional football requires position-specific technique, conditioning, and tactical knowledge developed through extensive practice. Paul’s boxing experience demonstrates athletic ability, but does not establish that he is ready to compete as an NFL receiver.
Paul has built a 12-2 professional boxing record since making his debut in 2020. That record reflects his commitment to boxing, but his football ability would need to be evaluated separately through practices, workouts, or games. That history is why some hesitate to dismiss his claims about football entirely.
Skepticism grows across 2 sports worlds
Paul’s comments drew skeptical responses from football reporters and former NFL players. Critics emphasized the difference between professional boxing experience and the training required to earn an NFL roster spot. Many argue that his confidence does not match the difficulty of making a roster.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz called Paul’s assessment disrespectful to players who had spent their lives preparing for the league. Former NFL players Taylor Lewan and Antonio Brown also publicly dismissed his proposed transition to football. His willingness to court controversy remains a defining part of his image.
The reaction has generated coverage across football and combat sports media. However, Paul’s prospects cannot be evaluated fully unless he participates in a workout, tryout, or competitive football program.
Little-known fact: Jake Paul and fellow influencer Tana Mongeau held a wedding ceremony in Las Vegas in July 2019, but they never filed a marriage license, so the two were never legally married.
TL;DR
- Jake Paul says he has talked with NFL teams and coaches about a possible roster spot.
- He named the Cleveland Browns as his dream team and the Dallas Cowboys as an earlier interest.
- Paul called NFL talent mediocre and said the move to football would be easy for him.
- He has not played organized football since high school, raising doubts about his readiness.
- No NFL team has publicly confirmed interest, leaving his claims unverified for now.
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This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.
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