What Kind Of Impact Rugby Star Louis Rees-Zammit Can Make On Chiefs

A former Welsh rugby star, Louis Rees-Zammit is one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ most intriguing players.

Given his inexperience with football, will he make the team? And if so, what kind of impact can he make on the Chiefs?

“I think he’ll see the field this year on a limited basis,” Nic Benson, the commissioner/CEO of Major League Rugby, exclusively shared.

The 12-team Major League Rugby represents the highest professional rugby league in the United States, but Benson acknowledged that it’s a tier below England’s Premiership Rugby — the league Rees-Zammit played in — which is one of the top three in the world.

Becoming the Gloucester senior team’s youngest Premiership player ever at 18 years and 70 days, Rees-Zammit debuted in the 2019–20 season. And in his final international foray, he had 26 carries, 17 tackles and 25 points in his five 2023 Rugby World Cup matches.

“He had an exceptional World Cup,” Benson said. “It’s a big deal. He’s one of the top up-and-coming players.”

At his rugby position of wing, he had to field a lot of high balls, which should serve as good preparation for returning kicks. That’s where Benson could see the 23-year-old Rees-Zammit making his biggest contribution, and because of NFL’s new kickoff rules, returns should have more significance this year.

“Dave (Toub) will have an opportunity to have him on special teams,” Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said, “and see where that goes.”

Listed at 6-2, 209 pounds, the lean Rees-Zammit posted a 4.43 in his 40-yard dash at the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) pro day. Given that size and speed combination, Rees-Zammit, who idolized Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver and DeSean Jackson growing up, would seem to project as a wide receiver.

But the Chiefs are using him at running back.

That makes sense for multiple reasons. Catches in rugby are made laterally instead of down the field, and route running for receivers can be more complicated that just hitting the designated hole as a running back.

“It’s probably a slightly easier transition,” Benson said. “That might be an easier learning curve.”

Reid said that he likes that Rees-Zammit takes short strides — a necessity for a running back — but he still has to improve at lowering his pad level.

Despite the work Rees-Zammit needs, he is a smart investment for the Chiefs, who signed him to a three-year, $2.85 million contract, including $250,000 guaranteed.

It allows the Chiefs to take advantage of new rules, making it beneficial to have international players in 2024.

For the first time, each NFL team can have a 17th roster spot on the practice squad specifically available for an international player. Teams also receive one training camp roster exemption for an international player and are permitted to elevate an international practice squad player to the active roster three times throughout the season.

An International Player Pathway Program participant, Rees-Zammit earned $63,000, trained for 10 weeks at IMG Academy, impressed at the Pro Day and then considered the Denver Broncos, Cleveland Browns and New York Jets before choosing Kansas City.

“They have unbelievable coaches here, and it was where I was going to learn the best,” Rees-Zammit said. “It was just about having a plan for me, being able to prove what I can do and being able to translate my rugby skills into football. It’s been great on that side.”

Rees-Zammit, whose father played American football in the United Kingdom, already has made a concerted effort to bond with the team and learn the Chiefs’ offense.

He attended Patrick Mahomes’ passing camp in Texas, Travis Kelce’s Kelce Jam festival, the Chiefs’ three-day rookie camp and the start of organized team activities (OTAs).

“He’s so diligent with everything and wants to be so good at everything,” Reid said after the rookie camp. “You can see the progress he’s made.”

His most impressive play during that rookie camp was on a halfback screen from backup quarterback Chris Oladokun, which went for a long gain.

“It was amazing,” Rees-Zammit said. “When there’s open fields, I feel like I’m playing rugby again. I can use my awareness. When I am in space then, that’s where I can cause the most damage.”

As he continues through OTAs, minicamp and then training camp, Rees-Zammit said he will work hard to grasp the playbook and fundamentals of his new position, though he acknowledged that it will be a long process.

“His future as an NFL player,” Benson said, “is an investment that will probably take some time to mature.”