Harry Kane is no longer treating his interest in the NFL as a passing curiosity. The England captain says he may seriously explore becoming a kicker after his soccer career, with a possible future move to Major League Soccer offering a bridge between the two sports.
Kane told reporters at England's training camp Wednesday that the idea depends on how the next five or six years of his career unfold. He called the NFL possibility more realistic than his previously discussed interest in professional golf, but made clear that no move is imminent.
The Bayern Munich striker believes years of taking penalties could provide a useful foundation. Penalty kicks and NFL field goals both demand repeatable technique under intense pressure, although the mechanics, approach and conditions are different. Kane acknowledged that elite specialists make their jobs appear easier than they are.
If he pursues the switch, Kane said he would give himself six months to a year of focused preparation before attempting it. That detail separates the idea from a publicity stunt. He is not claiming he could walk directly from a soccer pitch onto an NFL roster. He is describing a second career that would require real training and evaluation.
Why an MLS stop could matter
Kane suggested that playing in MLS late in his soccer career could make the transition easier. Living and competing in the United States would place him closer to NFL facilities, specialists and tryout opportunities. The leagues also operate on different calendars, which might create room for structured training.
There is precedent for soccer players finding a path into professional football. Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey was selected in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft and spent time in professional soccer before rebuilding his career in football. Detroit Lions kicker Jake Bates also played college soccer before moving into football.
Those examples do not guarantee Kane anything. NFL kicking jobs are scarce, and teams judge specialists on range, consistency, operation time, kickoffs and performance under a live rush. Name recognition might earn attention, but it would not secure a roster spot.
Kane has discussed the ambition for years. In 2019, he said he wanted to try kicking in the NFL after his soccer career. His latest comments add a more concrete outline, including a potential MLS connection and a training window.
Soccer still comes first
Kane's immediate future remains with Bayern. He said talks over a new contract are progressing and indicated that an announcement may not be far away. At 33, he is still performing at the highest level for club and country, so any football experiment belongs to a later chapter.
That distance is part of what makes the idea fascinating. Kane is not preparing for an NFL tryout next month. He is keeping open the possibility that one of soccer's most accomplished strikers could eventually test whether his accuracy and nerve translate to a very different kind of goalpost.
For now, it is a plan without a date. But Kane sounds increasingly determined to find out whether it can become real.