Jordan Mailata Played ‘Huge Part’ in Development of Two Eagles Rookies

The NFL’ International Player Pathway program was founded in 2017 as a way to get more eyes on some of the most talented athletes around the world. In the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, the Philadelphia Eagles took a chance on professional rugby player Jordan Mailata, who had never played American football before. Fast forward to 2026 and Mailata has developed into one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL.

Mailata’s story is a true testament of what the NFL’s International Player Pathway program can become. While Mailata is easily the biggest success story to come from the program, the Eagles have continued to take chances on international players in recent years. Following their success with Mailata, Philadelphia also worked with Matt Leo, Laekin Vakalahi and Luke Felix-Fualalo. Following his playing career, Leo was actually hired by the Eagles in 2023 and was recently promoted to Director of Player Engagement.

While Mailata was the only international player that the Eagles actually invested a draft pick in, that changed in the 2026 NFL Draft. Philadelphia selected Nigerian interior defensive lineman Uar Bernard with the 251st overall pick in the seventh round. Bernard turned heads with his jaw-dropping showing at the IPP Pro Day.

Prior to the big day, Bernard worked with NFL consultant and pass rush specialist Javon Gopie to prepare for the event. Gopie has worked with some of the NFL’s best pass rushers, including Philadelphia’s latest addition, Jonathan Greenard. Gopie recently joined The Philly Special Show with Josh Davis for an exclusive interview to discuss his work with Bernard and others.

(Watch the full interview in the latest video on the episodes tab or at this link: https://youtu.be/urOJgaAixJ0?si=7jM74i0PkAHnaJeI)

During his interview, Gopie revealed that Eagles All-Pro offensive tackle Jordan Mailata actually helped prepare Bernard and others for the next level. Gopie shared that Mailata continues to be involved with the IPP program as he understands how it changed his life. Gopie also trained former rugby player Joshua Weru, who signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent.

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman was able to land the top two athletes that emerged from this year’s class in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. Here’s what Gopie had to say about Philadelphia’s plan and Mailata’s involvement in their development.

“I think Howie, you got something because to pair these guys with Jordan Mailata was the greatest thing ever,” Gopie said. “Being an IPP alum and Jordan spent a lot of time with us during this pre-draft process and working with these guys, teaching them offense.”

“That was our goal. When we got in early in January, I told these guys ‘I gotta teach you offense before you can learn defense because you have to understand what we’re looking at and then I can teach you how to attack it’ so Jordan played a huge part in their development as well over these past three and a half months.”

It was incredible to hear from Gopie and the way that he approaches training prospects that have literally never played American football before. While Gopie is already regarded as one of the best pass rush trainers in the world, now the players were able to learn offense from one of the best offensive tackles in the NFL…who was also in their same exact cleats less than a decade ago.

After being drafted by the Eagles, Bernard was asked if he was familiar with Mailata. He was and recalled a meaningful quote that Mailata shared with him during the pre-draft process. “Use your gifts to bless your family,” Bernard recalled. It was clear that Mailata’s words resonated with Bernard and that relationship will continue to grow.

Mailata is living proof that the IPP program can work. Therefore, it was likely special for Bernard and Weru to get the opportunity to work with him ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. But now all three of them will call Philadelphia home as the Eagles have essentially built their own extension of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program in the City of Brotherly Love.