Louis Rees-Zammit’s NFL dream continues despite Kansas City Chiefs disappointment
Former Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit has joined NFL side Jacksonville Jaguars following his setback at the Kansas City Chiefs.
The British and Irish Lions star was drafted to the reigning Super Bowl champions after impressing in the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) but failed to make their 53-man roster for the regular season.
With him being ‘cut’ from the Chiefs, he was placed on waivers – where any of the other 31 teams can bring people into their squad – and he has since been picked up by the Jaguars to join their practice squad.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s NFL journey so far
The Jaguars also play two of their regular season games in London, so if Rees-Zammit makes the step up to their 53-man roster he could potentially play an NFL game in the UK.
Interestingly, he has also been listed as a wide receiver by the Jaguars but was considered a running back in Kansas City. This change of position could play into his strengths a bit more, and possibly see him develop much faster in his new sport.
In January, Rees-Zammit stepped away from rugby to pursue his ‘dream’ of playing in the NFL. He was offered a place on the NFL’s IPP, and impressed enough to be drafted into the Chiefs 2024 training camp squad.
Louis Rees-Zammit: What next for the Welshman after failing to make NFL grade at Kansas City Chiefs?
He made his debut for the Chiefs in a pre-season game against the Jaguars, and was utilised as a running back, punter and kick chaser in that game. Rees-Zammit struggled to have much of an impact in his first official game though.
He was more involved in the second pre-season contest against the Chicago Bears, with Chiefs head coach Andy Reid saying that performance will ‘be good to study himself’ on.
“I tried to give him the ball a little bit tonight. He had some real positive yards,” said Reid. “That’ll be good for him to see and study himself on that, in live action like that.”
“He’s a heck of an athlete. It’s just a matter of getting more familiar with it as he goes here. We’ll see how everything works out for him.”
It was always going to be a big ask to make the 53-man roster, considering players like Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire are ahead of him in the pecking order, and unfortunately, he failed to make the cut.
He was widely expected to continue with the Chiefs on their practice squad but was snapped up by the Jaguars.
READ NEXT: ‘I have no regrets’ – Louis Rees-Zammit ahead of D-Day in fledgling NFL career