Jordan Mailata Bio
Lafoga Jordan Mailata, known professionally as Jordan Mailata, is an Australian professional American football offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Born on 31 March 1997 in Bankstown, New South Wales, Mailata rose to prominence after transitioning from rugby league to the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program. Drafted in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL draft, he has developed into one of the league’s most respected offensive linemen. In 2025, Mailata helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX, becoming the first Australian to start and play in a Super Bowl. He is also recognized for his vocal talents, having formed the singing group The Philly Specials with teammates Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson.
Jordan Mailata Early Life and Background
Early Life and Background
Jordan Mailata was born on 31 March 1997 in Bankstown, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He is the son of Samoan immigrants, and his family raised him in a community with a high concentration of Samoan residents. Mailata retains New Zealand citizenship through his mother, who was born there. His middle name, Jordan, was given to him by his sister in honor of basketball superstar Michael Jordan.
Mailata grew up playing rugby league for the Bankstown Bulls in local competitions. He attended Condell Park High School, where he balanced his education with his growing passion for sport. As a child, he supported the Wests Tigers in the National Rugby League (NRL) and admired players such as Benji Marshall, James Maloney, and Sonny Bill Williams. He also developed an early interest in the Wallabies, Australia’s national rugby union team.
Standing at 6 feet 8 inches and weighing approximately 166 kilograms, Mailata possessed a physical frame that set him apart from his peers. In 2014, he fainted during a pre-season training session with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs’ Under 18s team, one week before the S.G. Ball Cup. The incident required surgery to repair both the upper and lower chambers of his heart, forcing him to take a hiatus from rugby league for over a year. During his recovery, his weight reportedly increased from 147 to 166 kilograms.
Path to American Football
After returning to competitive rugby league, Mailata played alongside his brothers Daniel and Moana for Five Dock RSL Junior Rugby League in the Balmain competition. His size and athleticism caught the attention of Ben Rogers, a recruitment agent for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, leading to an offer to join their Under 20s team in 2017. The Rabbitohs offered him a one-year contract worth AU$5,000 to play for the North Sydney Bears, their reserve-grade affiliate, but Mailata ultimately declined the offer. Coaching staff cited concerns about his fitness and conditioning, and his agency advised him to pursue a sport that appreciated his physical gifts.
Following the decline of the rugby league contract, NFL executives reviewed video clips of Mailata playing rugby league and invited him to try out for the International Player Pathway Program. Mailata had never played American football and admitted that his knowledge of the game was minimal. In February 2018, he traveled to IMG Academy in Florida to train under the guidance of coach Aden Durde, where he was scouted by Jeff Stoutland, the offensive line coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. Mailata has often credited Stoutland’s mentorship, humorously calling his training experience “Jeff Stoutland University.”
Mailata recorded a 5.12-second 40-yard dash at a March 2018 combine at One Buc Place, the seventh-best time among tackles at that year’s NFL combine. He also achieved 22 reps on the bench press and a 4.67-second short shuttle, which would have ranked among the top 10 scores for left tackles at the official NFL Combine. Despite these impressive measurables, scouts listed weaknesses including the need for extensive development and no prior American football experience.
Jordan Mailata Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
Jordan Mailata was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 233rd overall pick in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft, making him the second player drafted without American high school or college football experience. He signed a four-year deal worth $2.5 million, including a signing bonus of $89,392. Mailata made the Eagles’ initial 53-man roster on 1 September 2018, but a back stress fracture ended his rookie season on 14 December, and he was placed on injured reserve without appearing in a game.
In 2019, Mailata missed the first two games of the season with a lingering back injury and was placed on injured reserve again on 21 September 2019, effectively ending his second professional season. These early years were marked by patience and physical setbacks as Mailata adjusted to the demands of the American game and absorbed a playbook he described as feeling like “a different language.”
Philadelphia Eagles Breakthrough (2020–2021)
After being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list in July 2020 and activated in August, Mailata made his NFL debut on 13 September 2020 against the Washington Football Team, replacing the injured rookie Jack Driscoll. He earned his first start in Week 4 against the San Francisco 49ers, filling in for an injured Jason Peters. Mailata finished the 2020 season playing in 15 games with 10 starts, leading the Eagles’ offensive linemen in fewest sacks allowed and pass protection snaps.
On 31 August 2021, head coach Nick Sirianni named Mailata the Eagles’ starting left tackle. Days later, on 11 September 2021, Mailata signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension that included $40.85 million in guaranteed money. He helped the Eagles reach Super Bowl LVII, where they lost to the Kansas City Chiefs 38–35. His physical dominance earned him frequent comparisons in the media to a human “wrecking ball.”
Philadelphia Eagles Era (2022–Present)
On 4 April 2024, Mailata signed a three-year, $66 million contract extension with $48 million guaranteed and a $20 million signing bonus, keeping him with the Eagles through the 2028 season. The deal placed him among the NFL’s highest-paid offensive tackles. Mailata was named to the 2024 All-Pro Second Team and helped the Eagles secure a second-seed playoff position in the NFC.
Mailata and the Eagles returned to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2024 season, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22 to win Super Bowl LIX. As a result, Mailata became the first Australian Super Bowl champion to start and play in the game, following Jesse Williams, who won Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks while on injured reserve.
Driving Style and Strengths
Mailata’s game is built on rare size, length, and surprising agility for an offensive tackle standing 6 feet 8 inches tall. His track-type strengths include dominant run blocking on the edge and steady improvement in pass protection. His close partnership with offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has shaped his technique and football IQ, allowing him to process complex defensive schemes effectively.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Mailata’s most defining moments was starting and winning Super Bowl LIX, cementing his legacy as the first Australian to do so. His four-year, $64 million extension in 2021 and subsequent three-year, $66 million deal in 2024 reflect his value as one of the premier offensive tackles in the NFL. He was also recognized as a 2024 Second-Team All-Pro.
Jordan Mailata Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Mailata is the son of Samoan immigrants and grew up alongside his brothers Daniel and Moana, with whom he played rugby league for Five Dock RSL Junior Rugby League. His Samoan heritage and New Zealand citizenship through his mother have been central to his identity. He has spoken proudly of his family background and cultural roots throughout his career.
Personal Life
In July 2023, Mailata married his longtime partner Niki Ikahihifo-Bender, a lawyer from Alaska. The couple resides in the United States, where Mailata continues his career with the Philadelphia Eagles. He is sponsored by Australian clothing company Johnny Bigg, which specializes in apparel designed for larger frames. Mailata has also gained attention for his vocal talents, competing on season 7 of The Masked Singer in 2022 as “Thingamabob” and forming the singing group The Philly Specials with teammates Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson, releasing multiple Christmas albums. Additionally, he was featured in the documentary series Kelce during the 2022–2023 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024 season culminated in a dominant Super Bowl LIX victory for Mailata and the Philadelphia Eagles, who defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40–22. Mailata’s performance throughout the season earned him Second-Team All-Pro honors and reinforced his status as a cornerstone of the Eagles’ offensive line. His leadership and consistency were central to the team’s second-seed finish in the NFC playoffs.
Heading into the 2025 season, Mailata remains under contract with the Eagles through 2028 after signing his three-year, $66 million extension in April 2024. The continuity along the offensive line, combined with his established partnership with coach Jeff Stoutland, positions Mailata as a key figure in the Eagles’ pursuit of another championship run. His blend of size, technique, and experience makes him a foundational piece of the franchise’s long-term plans.
Off the field, Mailata continues to expand his profile as a vocalist with The Philly Specials, while maintaining his endorsement with Johnny Bigg. His trajectory from rugby league prospect in Bankstown to Super Bowl champion in Philadelphia represents one of the most remarkable journeys in modern NFL history.