Rees-Zammit reveal feelings unfulfilled during NFL experience
Louis Rees-Zammit has admitted that at times during his NFL spell he felt he was not making the most of his natural talent, even though he says he has no regrets about trying American football. The Welsh winger, who announced his return to rugby by signing for Bristol Bears for the 2025–26 Premiership season, spent 18 months pursuing his NFL dream in the United States.
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A Challenging Transition to American Football
Rees-Zammit joined the Kansas City Chiefs in March of last year after making a strong impression in the NFL International Player Pathway programme. However, the step up proved extremely difficult. He was not included on the Chiefs’ roster for the 2024 campaign and soon moved on to the Jacksonville Jaguars. He initially featured only on the practice squad and later earned a place on their active roster, but still did not play in a regular-season NFL game.
Feeling Like Talent Was Being Wasted
Reflecting on his time in America, the 24-year-old admitted that being outside the college system meant he never really had a fair chance to reach the top level. He said it felt as though his ability was not being fully used, despite the effort he put in. From a coach’s perspective, he explained, it was understandable that players who had spent many years growing up in the sport were always going to be favoured.
Valuable Experience Despite Lack of Game Time
Although he never managed to step onto the field for a regular-season match, Rees-Zammit said he learned a great deal from his time in NFL locker rooms. Training alongside stars such as Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce gave him a valuable insight into elite high-performance environments. Seeing the way those global figures prepared and operated day after day provided lessons that he believes will benefit him for the rest of his career.
No Regrets About the NFL Journey
Despite feeling unfulfilled at times, Rees-Zammit stressed that he has absolutely no regrets. He explained that taking the chance to try something completely new was important for his personal growth and he would have been left wondering “what if” had he not embraced the opportunity. Now, as he prepares for a return to rugby union, he believes the experience has made him mentally stronger and more determined to succeed.
