At the start of 2024, Louis Rees-Zammit made the bold decision to leave rugby behind and chase his childhood dream of playing American football.
The former Wales and Gloucester wing was a promising rugby player, but he made the leap into the NFL after participating in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.
Rees-Zammit initially signed with the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs, before later switching to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, his time with the Jaguars has now come to an end, and he is currently a free agent.
As he spends time on holiday in Asia, Rees-Zammit is still weighing his options for the future.
The Return to Rugby
While Rees-Zammit’s NFL career is still up in the air, Wales head coach Warren Gatland has expressed an open invitation for the young player to return to rugby.
Gatland, who watched Rees-Zammit score 14 tries in 32 Tests for Wales before his NFL venture, confirmed that his door is always open for the 23-year-old.
“We would love to have him back if he was available to us,” Gatland said, adding that while Rees-Zammit is currently weighing up his future with the Jaguars, there will always be a place for him in the Welsh rugby fold.
“Whenever he wants to come back, he’d be more than welcome back in the fold. I’d welcome him back with open arms.”
Weighing His Options
Despite being offered a deal for next season by the Jaguars, Rees-Zammit has yet to make a senior NFL appearance.
He is reportedly reluctant to give up on his American football dreams so soon after making the move to the U.S. just a year ago.
Gatland understands the difficult decision Rees-Zammit faces, especially when it comes to chasing his dreams.
“It’s about seeing what happens in terms of what decisions are made in the U.S.,” he said.
“Is 12 months enough to say you’ve tried? I don’t know what the answer to that is.”
If Rees-Zammit does decide to return to rugby, Gatland believes the young player will be better for the experience.
“American sport is brutal,” Gatland explained, referencing the cutthroat nature of NFL trades. “That will give him a different perspective.”
A Valuable Addition to Wales
Should Rees-Zammit eventually return to rugby, he would add valuable depth to a struggling Wales team that is currently enduring a tough run of 12 straight Test defeats.
Gatland, however, remains patient, understanding that Rees-Zammit must make the decision that’s right for him.
For now, the young star remains in limbo, but his potential return to rugby could certainly bolster the Welsh squad when the time comes.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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