Louis Rees-Zammit Quits NFL And Confirms Return To Rugby Union
Louis Rees-Zammit Quits NFL And Confirms Return To Rugby Union
Louis Rees-Zammit ends his NFL journey to return to rugby union after 18 months, aiming to reignite his career and rejoin the Wales national team.
Louis Rees-Zammit is coming home.
The 24-year-old former Wales and British & Irish Lions winger announced Thursday that he is leaving the NFL and returning to rugby union, ending an 18-month stint in American football that never yielded a regular-season snap.
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Rees-Zammit revealed his decision in a social media post, writing:
“It’s been a great experience, but it’s time to come home. I’ve decided this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season. There’s only one thing that’s on my mind — that’s coming back to rugby and doing what I do best.”
The former Gloucester speedster shocked the rugby world in January 2024 when he stepped away from the sport to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
He was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs but was released after a series of unconvincing preseason appearances.
Later, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice squad for the 2024 season but never made an active roster appearance, even during the team’s international games in London.
Despite eligibility under IPP rules to be elevated on two occasions, Rees-Zammit remained sidelined throughout the year. Injuries may have played a role; reports out of Jaguars training camp in July indicated the Welshman had missed time due to a lower back issue.
The decision to return to rugby arrives at a pivotal time for Welsh rugby.
The national side recently snapped an 18-match losing streak and is set to begin a new era under incoming head coach Steve Tandy, who takes charge at the end of August.
Rees-Zammit’s return could provide a timely boost to a squad lacking experienced flair, no Welsh players were selected in Andy Farrell’s Lions starting XV for the opening test against Australia this summer, marking the first such omission since 1896.
Capped 32 times for Wales and a Six Nations winner, Rees-Zammit was one of the brightest stars of his generation before his detour into football. He also featured on the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa at just 20 years old.
While Rees-Zammit has yet to confirm which club he will join, speculation already is mounting about a possible return to Gloucester, which opens its Premiership campaign Sept. 25.
Alternatively, a move to a Welsh region in the United Rugby Championship could align with his ambitions to reclaim a place in the national team.
“There’ll be more news to come soon,” Rees-Zammit teased in his post. “But for now, see you soon, rugby fans.”
Though his NFL journey ends without a regular-season appearance, Rees-Zammit's time in the United States has been far from fruitless. He now returns to rugby with a fresh perspective and likely, renewed hunger.
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