Louis Rees-Zammit Lands NFL Contract With Kansas City Chiefs – The Kansas City Chiefs, reigning Super Bowl champions, have enlisted Louis Rees-Zammit, the former Wales rugby union international. At 23, Rees-Zammit left rugby earlier this year to explore opportunities in the NFL.
He entered through the league’s international player pathway (IPP) and caught the attention of the Chiefs during his trial, with running back and wide receiver roles designated for him. The Chiefs said on their website: “The Kansas City Chiefs made an international splash on Friday with the addition of former European rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit to the roster” and called him “Rees-Lightning”.
Rees-Zammit, who visited several NFL franchises, including New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos, said in a video posted by the Chiefs on X that he had “just signed, can’t wait to go, and see you all at Arrowhead Stadium”. His immediate aim is to secure a spot on the Kansas City Chiefs’ final 53-man roster for the upcoming season, aiming to join the ranks of star players such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as they target a third consecutive Super Bowl victory.
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The former Gloucester, Wales, and British & Irish Lions winger made waves in the rugby world in January when he announced his departure from the sport to pursue an NFL contract in 2024. That aspiration took a significant step forward as he impressed during last week’s Pro Day, a crucial component of the IPP process.
The Chiefs said: “Rees-Zammit participated in the international player pathway programme workout earlier this month, which provided the former rugby star with an opportunity to show NFL scouts what he could do. His workout included a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, which would have ranked fifth among tailbacks at the 2024 NFL scouting combine.”
The Chiefs listed Rees-Zammit as a running back, a position where Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon are both free agents, which could leave little depth behind starter Isiah Pacheco. Rees-Zammit’s former Wales teammate Josh Adams offered his congratulations, posting on X: “Trip to Kansas sorted then! Better order my LRZ chiefs jersey. LouisReesZammit Amazing mate fair play.”
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In the meantime, Charlie Smyth from Northern Ireland, who serves as a Gaelic football goalkeeper with Down GAA, has secured a contract as a kicker with the New Orleans Saints. Aged 22, Smyth will vie for a place on the roster alongside Blake Grupe, who demonstrated solid performance last season by making 30 of 37 field goals and successfully converting all 40 of his extra points as a rookie.
