Former ELF star becomes highest-paid NFL special teamer

KaVontae Turpin has reached the next milestone of his NFL career. The former European League of Football player signs a new contract with the NFL team Dallas Cowboys for three years and 18 million US dollars. 

This makes the 28-year-old the highest-paid special teamer in the NFL, according to "bleacherreport". Turpin made his ELF debut for the Wroclaw Panthers as a wide receiver in 2021. He was particularly impressive as a return specialist. Turpin averaged 35 yards per return and had a monster game against the Hamburg Sea Devils, totaling 293 yards and two touchdowns. His performance drew the attention of scouts from the New Jersey Generals of the United States Football League. Turpin continued to deliver and finished the season as MVP. The Dallas Cowboys took notice and gave him a three-year contract.

Turpin quickly gained a major role in Dallas. His dynamic and consistent returns have already earned him two nominations for the NFL Pro Bowl. In 2024, he also saw more and more snaps as a wide receiver. Now the next milestone for the former ELF star.

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More ELF stars on their way to the NFL

However, Turpin is not the only former ELF player to have made the leap to America and the NFL. In addition to the wide receiver, Adedayo Odeleye (former Berlin Thunder) recently signed a new contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Cornerback Marcel Dabo (former Stuttgart Surge) plays for the Indianapolis Colts.

In addition, a large number of young ELF players are competing for a possible future in the North American football league in this year's NFL International Pathway Program. Among them is Bastian Roppelt, who revealed in an exclusive ELF interview that he wants to play “the best version of myself”. 

A dream has already come true for Stuttgart Surge kicker Lenny Krieg. And Leander Wiegand also has the chance to make it into the NFL via the program. He wants to give it his all, he reveals in an interview with ELF: “I also want to represent my country with discipline and work ethic. Being on time, making a strong impression, and always giving my best are things I take very seriously.”