From NFL’s Pathway Program to Philly: Weru and Bernard could be the Eagles’ next big success stories

The Philadelphia Eagles have made two of the most fascinating bets of the 2026 offseason, and neither followed a traditional football path.

One was a late-round draft pick with eye-popping physical tools.The other, a rugby player from Kenya who’s barely scratched the surface of the sport.

Together, Uar Bernard and Joshua Weru represent the kind of high-upside swings that have become a hallmark of Philadelphia’s roster-building strategy.

Uar Bernard: The “Wembanyama” of NFL prospects

Bernard might be one of the most unique athletes in the entire draft class. The Nigerian defensive tackle, a product of the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program, has drawn comparisons to NBA’s Victor Wembanyama for his rare blend of size, length, and movement skills.

At around 6′5″ and over 300 pounds, Bernard pairs elite explosiveness with unusual agility for his frame. Evaluators have raved about his upside, especially considering how new he is to high-level football training.

His rapid development has only made him even more intriguing. After entering the pathway program earlier this year, Bernard reportedly made massive strides in both conditioning and technique in just a matter of weeks. For the Eagles, he’s the definition of a long-term investment - raw, but with traits you simply can’t teach.

Joshua Weru: The under-the-radar signing

While Bernard generated buzz during the draft process, Weru’s arrival in Philadelphia flew largely under the radar. That might not last long.

The former Kenyan rugby player brings absurd athletic testing numbers for his size. The 6′4″, 244-pound linebacker put up a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, 41.5-inch vertical jump, and 11-foot broad jump. Those are wide receiver-type explosiveness metrics in a linebacker-sized body.

Like Bernard, Weru trained at X3 Performance, a facility that’s become a pipeline for elite prospects preparing for the NFL. His background in rugby makes him an even more interesting prospect, as NFL teams continue to explore crossover athletes with limited football wear and tear.

Why the Eagles are uniquely positioned

Philadelphia has already seen this blueprint work before with Jordan Mailata, another international rugby convert who developed into an All-Pro and cornerstone piece of the franchise.

The NFL’s International Player Pathway Program also gives teams added flexibility. Each franchise can carry one designated international player without that player counting toward the active roster limit, making these kinds of developmental swings even more appealing.

And with Howie Roseman leading the front office, the Eagles have consistently shown a willingness to think outside the box when it comes to talent acquisition.

Neither Bernard nor Weru is a finished product, but that’s exactly the point. Both players are developmental prospects who may need time before contributing at the NFL level. But their physical traits, and the Eagles’ track record, make them compelling bets as the league is always searching for the next competitive edge.

If even one of them hits, Philadelphia could once again find themselves ahead of the curve. And if both do, then the rest of the NFL might start looking a lot harder at the global talent pool.

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