ELF STANDOUT WIEGAND SIGNS WITH NEW YORK JETS

Former Munich Ravens favourite Leander Wiegand has been handed the chance of a lifetime to make a career in the NFL after being signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Jets.

The German offensive lineman follows countryman and fellow European League of Football player Lenny Krieg into the big leagues following the kicker’s pre-draft signing by the Atlanta Falcons, and will now compete for a full roster spot through the summer’s various training camps. Both players made full use of their inclusion on the NFL’s International Player Pathway Programme — which the joined alongside fellow hopefuls Maceo Beard and Bastian Roppelt — to catch the eye of scouts, with Wiegand particularly impressive on his pro day as he put up 38 reps on the bench press — five more than any other player managed at the NFL Combine in February and seven more than Jets first-round pick Armand Membou, another OT, achieved. He has also shown that he can be more than simply a big body on the line too, having caught a touchdown pass as an eligible tight end during his title-winning campaign with the Fire.

Wiegand’s path to the NFL may have received an extra boost after being coached by one of the best to ever play the position, as former Cleveland Browns lifer, and Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Joe Thomas spent last season coaching the Ravens in Munich, but the German already has experience of playing in the United States, having spent a season at UCF in 2021. He then played for the Cologne Centurions and won an ELF title with the Rhein Fire, before joining Munich an an ELF All-Pro selection.

The Jets are clearly betting on Wiegand’s impressive 6’ 5”, 318lbs stature and rare strength and physical tools, having reportedly given him $249,000 in guarantees, one of the highest figures offered to any UDFA signed across the NFL in the post-draft process. Regardless of whether he makes the final 53-man roster, the amount invested in Wiegand suggests that he is likely to remain on board in the Jets’ IPP slot — potentially as part of the 16-man practice squad — for the forthcoming 2025 campaign. With only one IPP designation allowed per team, however, Wiegand will have to see off the threat from fellow O-lineman Obinna Eze, who filled the Jets spot last term.

(Image courtesy Lewin Weinberger)