Rees-Zammit leaves NFL to return to rugby union

Louis Rees-Zammit will re-enter the rugby union to play for the NFL.

18 months after the 24-year-old initially decided against playing rugby to pursue an American football career, the decision was made.

Rees-Zammit played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Kansas City Chiefs before never taking a break in a regular season game.

It’s been a great experience, but it’s now time to return home. In order to give myself enough time to prepare everything for the upcoming season, I’ve chosen this moment.

Returning to rugby and pursuing my passions are the only things on my mind.

Rees-Zammit left the Kansas City Chiefs after failing to impress during 2024 pre-season appearances after taking the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

Rees-Zammit then joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad for the entire 2024 season.

The Jaguars never made the decision to elevate Rees-Zammit, even at both of their international games in London, despite being eligible for two occasions as part of the NFL’s IPP player rules to be added to the team’s active 53-man roster.

At the conclusion of the 2024 season, the Welshman temporarily left the organization, but he soon resigned as a member of the franchise’s expanded off-season roster.

Rees-Zammit’s future with the Jaguars was in doubt as a result of reports from the team’s training camp in July that suggested he had missed practices as a result of a lower back injury.

Rees-Zammit made the announcement on Thursday that he would rejoin the rugby team after leaving the NFL.

Rees-Zammit had 32 caps for Wales before resigning from the sport in January 2024.