Louis Rees-Zammit has conceded that time is running out on him realising his dream of playing in the NFL as he revealed that he plans to return to his career as a professional rugby union player if things don’t work out for him in the United States.
The 24-year-old left the 15-a-side code early last year to join the NFL International Player Pathway (IPP), which gives elite athletes from around the world the chance to earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Rees-Zammit initially signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs but was then axed from their roster before he signed a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars last August.
Changed positions when he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars
The former Wales, Gloucester and British & Irish Lions speedster initially played as a running back during his stint with the Chiefs but changed positions to wide receiver when he joined the Jags.
Despite that switch, Rees-Zammit did not make his debut for the Jaguars during the 2024 NFL regular season although he was part of the Florida-based outfit’s practice squad as he continued to learn the intricacies of American football.
His contract was initially not renewed by the Jags, which meant he was a free agent, but the club eventually offered him a new deal which boosted his hopes of finally making his NFL debut and he signed the active roster deal for the forthcoming 2025 season.
Rees-Zammit, though, has now revealed for the first time that he could make a return to rugby union if he fails in his bid to become a successful NFL player.
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“International players get probably two to three years to make it in the NFL,” Rees-Zammit told talkSport. “So I wanted to do it at a time where I maybe could come back to rugby.
‘I’ll be 25, 26 when I go 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.”
Rees-Zammit said he thinks training in the NFL could help to make him a better rugby player if he eventually returns to the code.
“When I was playing rugby, I went to America twice to train and the things I learned there I knew straight away would help my game,” he explained.
“Now, having two years of it, I think if I did have to go back I’ll definitely be able to excel again.”
However, his main focus is to try and impress for the Jags during their pre-season training and hopefully he will be part of their roster when the NFL season kicks off.
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