Valentine Holmes 'to quit NFL' in $1 million move back to NRL

Valentine Holmes could be on his way back to rugby league after reports suggest he has agreed to join the North Queensland Cowboys.

Holmes failed to make the New York Jets’ 53-man roster, but was signed in the practice squad in September.

But the former Cronulla premiership winner is reportedly looking at a return to the NRL after he “agreed in principle” to a $1 million deal with the Cowboys, according to the Wide World of Sports.

However, Fox Sports reached out to Holmes’ management and they have denied the reports claiming: “Everyone has jumped the gun as no decision to quit NFL has been made.”

The $1 million contract would be a huge step up from the $US136,000 ($200,000) he earns from training with the practice squad under his NFL contract.

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Holmes can’t play this year for the Jets, but can train with the squad and build a relationship with the coaches under the training squad regulations.

But reports claim the Cowboys are hoping Holmes will join the team before the 2020 NRL season.

Holmes, a Queensland State of Origin representative, hails from North Queensland but made his name in the NRL at the Sharks before leaving for the US.