How Ryan Poles took advantage of new NFL rules to earn an extra roster spot for training camp originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
O Bears You will be allowed to field an extra player at training camp thanks to some cool moves by the GM Ryan Polos and a new NFL rule. The team received a roster exemption through the International Player Path for rookie punter Tory Taylor. This means they can carry 91 players during training camp instead of the typical 90 players.
The NFL instituted the IPP in 2017 to help athletes from around the world join the league. To qualify for the IPP, a player must be a citizen of a country outside of the US and Canada, with a primary residence outside of both countries. Additionally, a player can only have a maximum of two years of high school experience in the United States. Finally, an international player “must satisfy all NFL player eligibility rules and have been eligible for a previous NFL Draft,” according to the league.
For the first time this year, the NFL will also include IPP specialists such as kickers or punters.
Put it all together and Taylor, who is Australian, qualifies.
The Poles wasted no time in using this extra spot in the squad. On Sunday he signed running back Demetric Felton. When the team returned to practice on Monday, fellow running backs Travis Homer and Ian Wheeler did not participate, so Felton was thrust into action immediately. He took some reps, but the top three defensemen D’Andre Swift, Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson shared the work.
Since the program’s inception in 2017, five IPP players have made active NFL regular season rosters: Jordan Mailata (Australia, Philadelphia Eagles), Efe Obada (United Kingdom, Washington Commanders), Jakob Johnson (Germany, Las Vegas Raiders) , Sammis Reyes (Chile, Washington Commanders) and David Bada (Germany, Washington Commanders). Taylor is set to become sixth.
