Louis Rees-Zammit was released by the Kansas City Chiefs after failing to earn a spot on the 53-man roster, but head coach Andy Reid had given a hint about what he needed to improve
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid already acknowledged that Louis Rees-Zammit needs to brush up on his American football knowledge before he can fully kick on in his new career in the NFL.
After signing a three-year contract with the Chiefs back in April, which included some guaranteed cash and a signing bonus as part of the NFL's International Player Pathway program, the former Welsh rugby union sensation is now on tenterhooks to find out if he'll make it onto the team's practice squad.
Despite not making the cut when NFL teams slashed their rosters from 90 to 53 players this Tuesday, Rees-Zammit didn't go unnoticed during his first NFL preseason, where he faced off against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.
Chiefs coach Reid was impressed with Rees-Zammit's versatility after seeing him in action during the preseason games, especially after the match against the Bears. However, after missing out on the 53-man active roster and being released for the time being, he now must wait to discover if he's done enough to be re-signed by Reid for the practice squad.
"I tried to give him the ball a little bit tonight. He had some real positive yards," Reid remarked to the press post-game. "That'll be good for him to see and study himself on that, in live action like that.
"He's a heck of an athlete. It's just a matter of getting more familiar with it as he goes here. We'll see how everything works out for him."
During the preseason, Rees-Zammit showcased his skills as a gunner and kicker on special teams, as well as operating as a running back. However, he seemed to struggle to make a splash while other players like Carson Steele excelled.
After being released, Rees-Zammit is now free to be signed by any of the remaining 31 NFL franchises. If he clears waivers, he could return to the Chiefs' 17-player practice squad, where he can continue to hone his skills and potentially be called up to the main roster at any time.
Known for his impressive speed, Rees-Zammit has made a name for himself as one of the most thrilling wingers in world rugby, scoring five tries in last year's Rugby World Cup in France. After a 10-week stint at IMG Academy in Florida, he caught the attention of several teams at a Pro Day, meeting with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets before signing with the Chiefs.
The Welsh player had inked a three-year deal with the Chiefs and is now biding his time ahead of the 2024 NFL season. The Chiefs, who are the reigning two-time Super Bowl champions, will kick off the new season in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday, Sept.5
