The former Wales rugby star faces a critical summer but believes he can return to rugby and excel once again
Louis Rees-Zammit has admitted the clock is ticking on his NFL career as he revealed he plans to return to the highest level of rugby if the next year doesn’t work out.
The Welshman faces a crucial summer in his American Football journey as he bids to make the 53-man roster at Jacksonville Jaguars after spending last year on the practice squad. He has now put a deadline on his NFL chances, admitting this year will likely make or break his dreams.
He will spend the summer trying to impress in pre-season training and matches but knows if he gets cut by the Jaguars, as he was by Kansas City Chiefs, it could all be over. And, for the first time, he has talked in detail about his plan to return to rugby in the next couple of years if things don’t work out.
He told talkSport: “International (NFL) players get probably two to three years to make it in the NFL.
“I was 22 when I left. So I wanted to do it at a time where I maybe could come back to rugby.
“I’m 24 now, probably got one year, or one to two more years to try and make it, depending on how this year goes. I’ll be 25, 26 going back to rugby. I like to think I can still play at the highest level.”
Rees-Zammit, who is in the UK to promote the Jaguars’ games in the London later this year, has previously declined to contemplate his NFL mission ending, but knows time is running out as he faces a decisive summer.
The former winger is currently a designated International Player Pathway player on the Jags’ books and faces three potential outcomes at the end of this summer, when final squad decisions will be made on August 26. He will either make the 53-man roster for next season, meaning his NFL career can really take off, or he could remain a practice squad player for the season as he continues to develop and hope for a breakthrough.
The third option could see him cut by the Florida outfit. While he could then be signed up by another team, that scenario is perhaps unlikely and could herald his return to rugby. When he does return, he believes he will come back a better player.
“I’ve learnt so many different movements that I never even thought about in rugby,” Rees-Zammit said.
“The way you train is so much different, but I think that would help me massively.
“When I was playing rugby, I went to America twice to train and the things I learned there I knew straight away would help my game.
“Now, having two years of it, I think if I did have to go back I’ll definitely be able to excel again.”
Rees-Zammit hopes to prove himself during the Jaguars’ pre-season schedule, which begins on August 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
They then play the New Orleans Saints and the Miami Dolphins later in August before the final call is made on the 53-man squad on August 26.
