Louis Rees-Zammit exits NFL to resume rugby career
Former Wales rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has announced his departure from the Jacksonville Jaguars to return to rugby union, ending an 18-month NFL experiment that included stints with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jaguars.
NFL journey cut short
The 24-year-old joined the Chiefs in 2024 through the NFL’s International Player Pathway program but was released during preseason roster cuts. He later signed with the Jaguars’ practice squad, earning a 2025 active roster spot after briefly leaving the team post-2024 season. Despite traveling with Jacksonville to London for games against the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, Rees-Zammit’s NFL tenure was marred by a lower back injury that sidelined him during training camp.
APPhoto/Themba Hadebe
Rugby legacy beckons
Rees-Zammit retired from rugby in January 2024 after earning 32 caps for Wales, a Six Nations title, and a British & Irish Lions tour appearance. In an Instagram post, he stated, “It’s time to come home… There’s only one thing on my mind: doing what I do best.” His decision aligns with prior comments to talkSPORT: “I’ll be 25, 26 when I go back… I like to think I can still play at the highest level.”
Injury and timing
Reports of his back injury fueled speculation about his NFL future, though Rees-Zammit emphasized his desire to regain rugby form before aging out of prime competitiveness. The Jaguars now retain an open International Player Pathway Program slot for 2025.
Rees-Zammit’s return marks a high-profile reversal for rugby, leveraging his explosive speed and try-scoring pedigree. While his NFL chapter closes, his focus shifts to reigniting a career that once made him one of rugby’s brightest talents.
