Louis Rees-Zammit signs for new team in the NFL
After failing to secure a place on the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man roster ahead of the 2024 season, Louis Rees-Zammit has now found a new home – at the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The NFL team today confirmed the news that they had signed the Welsh star to their practice squad as a wide receiver.
The Welshman, who quit rugby union earlier this year, was officially waived by the back-to-back Superbowl champions the Chiefs ahead of the deadline on Tuesday evening.
Signed, sealed, delivered! 🏴🏈
(via @JaguarsUKandIE) pic.twitter.com/W44i8s7NRy
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) August 29, 2024
But now the 23-year-old’s NFL hopes have not been completely dashed with the Jaguars offering him the opportunity to further his American Football adventure.
After being waived by the Chiefs he could have been picked up by one of the other NFL teams – with the Jaguars now taking their chance on the raw but undoubtedly supremely talented athlete.
And that could mean the former Wales and British and Irish Lions wing heading to London in October.
The Jaguars will play regular season NFL games against the Chicago Bears at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 13 and the New England Patriots the following week at Wembley.
Rees-Zammit is not part of the Jaguars’ 53-man roster but can be called up if there is an injury in the main playing group.
The Florida franchise completed their swoop for the 23-year-old after he was released on Tuesday by the Kansas City Chiefs, where he had signed a three-year deal in March.
Rees-Zammit spent training camp with the back-to-back Super Bowl champions and made three pre-season appearances – the only games of organised American football he has played in his career.
He now joins the Jags, continuing a whirlwind year that started with him announcing he was swapping rugby union for a shot at the NFL via the International Player Pathway.
Number 84 putting in the reps for his new team 🏴⚡️
📸 @Jaguars pic.twitter.com/Omw6xAH5pC
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) August 29, 2024
In place since 2017, all 32 teams now have the option to utilise an additional practice squad roster spot for an international player.
Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada is a graduate, leaving England and eventually joining Carolina Panthers in 2017 through the IPP programme before going on to Buffalo Bills and then the capital.
Former England Sevens player Alex Gray was part of the IPP and spent a period with Atlanta Falcons.
Christian Scotland-Williamson spent two years with Pittsburgh Steelers after playing as lock for Worcester.
Christian Wade was the most famous former rugby player from these shores to try his luck in the NFL, being allocated as a running back to Buffalo Bills in 2019. The one-cap England wing is now back in rugby union with Gloucester.
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It’s unfortunate Louis Rees-Zammit missed out on a place in the Kansas Chiefs starting lineup but at least he has another chance with the Jaguars. It shows you no matter how good you are in one sport doesn’t guarantee you’ll excel in another.
I was always suspicious of the publicity stunt that funded itself.
My conspiratorial mind has me thinking that our rivals payed KCC to entice him over there so Wales wouldn’t have their best player available for atleast the next three years, lol. On a serious note, I’m not surprised as they should have had him as a WR instead of a RB. WR favours players with high end speed, whereas RB favours Excellent footwork and Low centre of Gravity. Something the Jags have obviously spotted.
I still don’t understand the fascination the Welsh media have on this guy.