Wilfried Pene’s Journey with the Patriots Hits an Unexpected Roadblock Due to Visa Issues

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The New England Patriots have parted ways — at least for now — with promising undrafted free agent defensive tackle Wilfried Pene, due to complications with his travel visa. The announcement came directly from Pene himself via his Instagram account, where he revealed he had returned to France in hopes of resolving the issue and eventually rejoining the team.

“The New England Patriots have done everything, have done everything to help me,” Pene shared emotionally in a video message. “However, it was not enough to get this visa. That’s why today, I’m no longer with the New England Patriots. That’s why today I’m in France. I’m in France for, to get this visa.”

The 6-foot-4, 290-pound defensive lineman was seen as a unique developmental prospect for New England. Born in France, Pene came to the U.S. with dreams of playing professional football — a dream that came closer to reality when the Patriots signed him as an undrafted free agent following the 2024 NFL Draft. Even more promising, he was eligible for a roster exemption via the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program (IPPP), which allows teams to carry an additional international player on their practice squad.

However, as often is the case for international athletes, the path to the NFL is paved with more than just hard work and talent — it’s often tangled in legal and logistical red tape. In Pene’s case, the issue of immigration and work authorization became a sudden barrier that neither he nor the Patriots could overcome in time.

A Promising Talent Cut Short (For Now)

Pene played college football at UCLA after transferring from Liberty University, where he originally joined as a tight end before transitioning to the defensive line. His athleticism and raw strength caught the attention of scouts, and though he went undrafted, he quickly landed a spot with the Patriots — a team that has historically embraced international players, particularly through the IPPP.

Within the walls of Gillette Stadium, Pene was already turning heads. His high motor and eagerness to learn earned him praise from coaches and teammates during rookie minicamps and early OTAs. Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo had previously hinted that Pene was among the young players to watch during training camp, describing him as “hungry, versatile, and coachable.

Unfortunately, none of that mattered once immigration status became the focal point. Sources close to the situation suggest that the Patriots did everything within their legal power to expedite and support Pene’s visa application. However, due to delays and complications related to government processing — and the strict timelines of NFL training camp preparation — the team had no choice but to release him for the time being.

A Program Designed to Help — But Not Always Enough

The NFL’s International Player Pathway Program was created to help bridge the gap for athletes like Pene — foreign-born players with immense upside but limited exposure or resources compared to traditional NCAA-to-NFL prospects. While the program does provide teams with extra practice squad slots and player exemptions, it does not offer automatic visa approval or diplomatic support for players trying to work in the United States.

In recent years, several players have benefitted from the IPPP, including Efe Obada (Nigeria/UK), Jordan Mailata (Australia), and Jakob Johnson (Germany) — the latter of whom also began his NFL career with the Patriots. But for every success story, there are cases like Pene’s where visa or bureaucratic hurdles derail an opportunity before it truly begins.

What’s Next for Wilfried Pene?

Despite the setback, Pene remains determined and hopeful. His message on Instagram struck a tone of gratitude and resilience, making it clear that he hasn’t given up on his NFL dreams — nor has he turned his back on New England.

“This is not the end,” Pene said. “I’m going to do everything I can to come back. I still believe in this dream. I thank the Patriots for believing in me.”

For now, Pene is back in France, working with legal advisors and potentially the French Football Federation to resolve his visa situation. It’s unclear whether the Patriots plan to revisit his signing once the situation is sorted, but given their positive history with international prospects and their early support of Pene, the door seems open.

A Reminder of the Human Side of Football

Pene’s situation serves as a stark reminder that for many young athletes — especially those coming from outside the U.S. — the journey to the NFL is not just about talent and opportunity. There are unseen struggles behind the scenes: immigration paperwork, cultural adjustments, language barriers, and loneliness thousands of miles from home.

In a league driven by competition and results, Wilfried Pene’s story is a humbling look at the human side of professional sports. It also underscores the importance of further support mechanisms — not just from teams, but from the league and government bodies — to ensure that international talents aren’t denied opportunities due to logistical failures.

If he does find a way back onto an NFL field, Wilfried Pene will have already shown the kind of persistence and character that many coaches dream of. Until then, fans in both France and New England will be rooting for his return — not just because of what he could do on the field, but because of the perseverance he’s already shown off it.