The whirlwind NFL stint of Welsh speedster Louis Rees-Zammit has come to an unexpected halt as he declares a return to his rugby roots. After a fleeting flirtation with American football that saw him don the jerseys of NFL giants like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Jacksonville Jaguars, Rees-Zammit is trading the gridiron for the try line once more.
Rees-Zammit’s foray into the NFL began in early 2024 when he shocked rugby fans by announcing his departure from rugby union right before Wales' Six Nations squad reveal. His transition involved a grueling 10-week training under the NFL’s International Pathway Program which led to a preseason stint with the Chiefs. Despite sharing the field with stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, he failed to secure a spot on their main roster and was not retained on their practice squad due to roster limits on international players.
Subsequently, the Jacksonville Jaguars saw potential in the Welshman, stashing him on their practice squad and even making him game-day eligible in the UK. Yet, game time eluded him, and after an offseason re-signing in 2025, a back injury further derailed his American football ambitions.
Reflecting on his brief but intense NFL journey, Rees-Zammit took to Instagram to announce his return to rugby, stating,
"I’ve decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby. It’s been a great experience, but it’s time to come home."
He expressed his eagerness to dive back into rugby, acknowledging that the timing was strategic to prepare for the upcoming season. “There’s only one thing that’s on my mind, that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can’t explain how excited I am," he added.In June, amid uncertainties about his NFL career, Rees-Zammit had shared with talkSPORT,
"International players get probably two to three years to make it in the NFL. So I wanted to do it at a time where I maybe could come back to rugby. I’m 24 now, probably got one to two more years to try and make it depending on how this year goes. I’ll be 25, 26 when I go back to rugby. I like to think I can still play at the highest level."
As the rugby world welcomes back one of its bright young talents, Rees-Zammit’s brief NFL episode will undoubtedly add an intriguing chapter to his already impressive sports career. The rugby pitch awaits the return of its prodigal son, eager to see if his time in the NFL has added a new edge to his game.