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Vegas Vipers Linebacker Pita Taumoepenu Signs with New York Jets

August 7, 2023 - XFL (XFL)
Vegas Vipers News Release


ARLINGTON, TEXAS - The XFL has announced that Vegas Vipers linebacker Pita Taumoepenu signed with the NFL's New York Jets. Taumoepenu becomes the fourth Viper to sign an NFL contract, joining Brandon Dillon, who signed with the Washington Commanders on May 30, John Lovett, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on July 31 and Mathew Sexton, who signed with the Atlanta Falcons on August 3. Taumoepenu is one of three players who signed NFL contracts on Monday, joining Houston Roughnecks defensive lineman Chuck Wiley, who signed with the Cleveland Browns, and Arlington Renegades defensive lineman Bruce Hector, who signed with the Jets. This brings the total number of players who have signed an NFL contract to 48.

Taumoepenu, who was named the XFL's Defensive Player of the Year following the season, appeared in all 10 games for the Vipers. He led the XFL in forced fumbles with four and also ranked second in the XFL in sacks, racking up 7.5, including three sacks in a game vs. the Orlando Guardians in a 35-32 Vegas victory. Taumoepenu was tied for sixth in the XFL in tackles for loss with 8.0, while also tallying 26 total tackles throughout the regular season.

To date, 156 invitations have been sent to XFL players for camps or to hold individual workouts with NFL teams since the conclusion of the regular season. Monday, May 15, was the first day XFL players could officially sign NFL contracts. If the players return to the XFL, they will resume with their former teams.

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