Louis Rees-Zammit 'agrees deal with Kansas City Chiefs' as NFL gamble pays off
Former Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has agreed to sign for NFL champions Kansas City Chiefs, and is expected to make it official on Friday.
Rees-Zammit held visits with the Cleveland Browns, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, and the Chiefs after his Pro Day showing, where he fan a 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds.
The 23-year-old was already an established Welsh rugby international and also a star for Gloucester, and shocked fans when announcing his decision to quit the sport and head to Florida for an intense 10-week training program. But his gamble has paid off, with a reported $900,000 (£703,900) contract set to be signed.
Rees-Zammit will join the Chiefs at summer camp before head coach Andy Reid and his assistants cut the squad down to a 53-man roster for the 2024 NFL season. There's still a long way to go for Rees-Zammit, but he's already exceeded expectations after admitting he's never played American football before.
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The Welsh athlete is expected to train in a hybrid role, with Rees-Zammit suited to both wide receiver and running back. Rees-Zammit is taller than most conventional running backs, although veteran Derrick Henry is one of the most iconic players in that position, standing at the same height as the former rugby star.
There is still work to be done for Rees-Zammit, as his statistics in the vertical jump and broad jump were underwhelming on NFL Pro Day. But he's managed to learn the basics of American football in a matter of weeks, and the Chiefs will be able to offer him priceless lessons over the summer.
As an offensive-minded player, Rees-Zammit will train with the best in the NFL while at the Chiefs, playing with three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes and also tight end Travis Kelce. The Chiefs lacked creativity on the offensive side of the ball at times last season, and the wildcard signing of Rees-Zammit could add value.
Rees-Zammit has admitted he has a lot to learn, but stated his intentions before heading to America back in January. "In terms of a position, in rugby, I want the ball at all times," Rees-Zammit said when announcing he wants to pursue a career in the NFL.
"So, I think it would be somewhere on the offense, running back, receiver, a bit of a hybrid. Whatever I get told, I will do. My main attribute in rugby was my speed and that's very transferable. I would like to say I have good hands and I don't drop the ball that often.
"But this is a different sport and the ball comes at you very fast, so I understand that's going to take a bit of work. There are a lot of footwork skills I have and footwork is massive in American football." Rees-Zammit is still new to the sport, but has developed since arriving in Florida.
"There are going to be a lot of different skills but, at the same time, I can improve on what I've got already," he added. "The quicker I can learn the game, the better for me because then I can show everyone what I can do.