Ex-Rugby Star Finds New NFL Team After Being Released by Chiefs

Former rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit has found a new home with the Jacksonville Jaguars after being cut by the Kansas City Chiefs, giving his NFL dream a second chance.

"Former Chiefs RB and rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit is close to finalizing a deal with the Jaguars," NFL insider Jordan Schultz posted on X. "Another opportunity for LRZ after getting a taste of the NFL in Kansas City."

Rees-Zammit’s journey to the NFL began with a three-year, $2.85 million contract with the Chiefs in March. However, his transition from rugby to football has been anything but easy, and now, he’s looking for redemption in Jacksonville.

Known for his speed and dynamic skills, Rees-Zammit became Gloucester Rugby’s youngest European player at just 18 years old. His breakout performance during the 2021 Six Nations Championship caught the attention of the sports world, cementing his status as a rising star in rugby.

But despite his success, Rees-Zammit felt something was missing. The idea of leaving rugby behind for a shot at the NFL couldn’t escape his mind.

"I don’t want to have any regrets in life – and I know it would have been one of the biggest regrets I could ever have," he revealed in an emotional interview with Men's Health Magazine.

In January 2024, Rees-Zammit announced he was stepping away from rugby to pursue his NFL dream, joining the NFL's International Player Pathway program—a program designed to give international athletes a shot at the big leagues.

Following in the footsteps of successful rugby-to-NFL transitions like Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata, who has thrived both on the field and financially, Rees-Zammit hopes to make his mark in the NFL.

His journey to Jacksonville is a crucial step in proving that his gamble was worth it.

With a fresh start in Jacksonville, Rees-Zammit is ready to show that the same talent that made him a rugby sensation can translate to success in the NFL, where he’ll look to carve out a lasting career.

Related: International Star-Turned-NFL RB Reveals Reason for Abandoning Rugby