Roy Mbaeteka turns down New York Giants contract, returns to IPP

The New York Giants have signed 12 players to reserve/futures contracts thus far but Nigerian offensive lineman Roy Mbaeteka is not among them.

Mbaeteka, who came to the Giants by way of the NFL’s International Pathway Program, spent most of the 2022 season on the team’s practice squad. However, when presented with the option to sign a reserve/futures deal, Mbaeteka declined.

Following that decision, Mbaeteka will return to the IPP.

The Giants offered a futures contract to Nigerian OL Roy Mbaeteka, but he declined, per source. Mbaeteka instead will return to the International Pathway Program. The upside of that path: Mbaeteka will be assured of three years on a practice squad so he can develop.

— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) January 22, 2023

The 6-foot-9, 320-pound Mbaeteka was mentored by retired Giants great Osi Umenyiora in the NFL Africa initiative, which is part of the IPP.

“Once you see him, you know he’s physically imposing and in a year or two if you immerse him in football culture, he’s going to be fantastic,” Umenyiora told Giants.com at the time of Mbaeteka’s signing.

“The Giants took a chance. Not much of a chance, I think. When you see him working, you’re going to know what he’s about. . . He is big, strong, physical, extremely intelligent, very athletic. He’s built to play offensive tackle in the league. In fact, he reminds me quite a bit of Kareem McKenzie. He has the same temperament. He’s very smart, but he’s a very athletic player.”