feature-image

Imago

feature-image

Imago

A career pivot would be nothing new for Jake Paul. He began his career as a YouTuber in the early 2010s before transitioning into acting and entertainment. But it wasn’t until 2020 that he made his biggest career move, turning to professional boxing. That, however, doesn’t mean Paul doesn’t have other interests. In fact, the 29-year-old has expressed a desire to try professional football and believes he’s better than many NFL athletes.

Watch What’s Trending Now!

“I think there’s a lot of super mediocrity in the NFL, a lot of not good athletes, a lot of people dropping passes on a consistent basis,” Paul told Front Office Sports at Fanatics Fest. “I have better hands in them. I’m faster than them. I’m stronger than them. I work harder than them. Really, all it’s gonna take is just me after boxing Practicing some routes. I have a couple teams and coaches that I’ve already talked to that are interested in bringing me on to the team. It’s really gonna be quite easy.”

ADVERTISEMENT

While an NFL career is surely a new interest for Jake Paul, the professional boxer is definitely aware of the Xs and Os of football. He just lacks professional football experience. Paul attended Westlake High School in Ohio, where he played football and wrestled. He has occasionally referenced his football experience when discussing his athleticism, though it’s the first time he has shared strong optimism to play in the NFL.

Which ultimately makes you wonder: considering Paul has admitted that multiple NFL teams have reached out to him, where would he want to play if he ever got the opportunity? As it turns out, Jake Paul has already made it clear that he’d like to suit up for the Cleveland Browns, considering Paul is an Ohio native.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I’d love to go to the Cleveland Browns, been a Browns fan my whole entire life. My mom is a die-hard Browns fan, and I think they could use some good receivers over there,” he added.

Additionally, Paul has urged the Browns to keep the No. 17 jersey ready for him. For now, though, the NFL is something the Ohio native would consider after his boxing career.

ADVERTISEMENT

Since turning professional, Jake Paul has compiled a 12-2 record in 14 fights. His most recent outing, however, ended in a loss to Anthony Joshua and resulted in a double jaw fracture. While Paul has undoubtedly made a name for himself in boxing, whether he can do the same in professional football remains to be seen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Share this with a friend:

Link Copied!

ADVERTISEMENT

Written by

author-image

Keshav Pareek

2,389 Articles

Keshav Pareek is a Senior NFL Features Writer at EssentiallySports, where he has covered two action-packed football seasons. He also contributes to the ES Behind the Scenes series, spotlighting the lives of top NFL stars off the field. Keshav is known for weaving humor into serious sports writing and connecting with readers by tapping into the emotional heart of the game. He’s particularly fascinated by the NFL Draft’s “Green Room” drama and remains puzzled by Shedeur Sanders’ unexpected draft slide, an outcome he calls downright baffling. With a fresh wave of breakout talent on the horizon, Keshav is primed for another thrilling season. A lifelong NFL fan, Keshav closely follows quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, drawing inspiration from their leadership and playmaking ability in his coverage. He brings a mix of sharp analysis and narrative storytelling to every story, providing readers with a compelling view of the league both on and off the field.

Know more

Edited by

editor-image

Antra Koul

ADVERTISEMENT