Louis Rees-Zammit receives contract offer days after becoming NFL free agent
Louis Rees-Zammit has now received a firm contract offer from the Jacksonville Jaguars days after his initial deal expired, according to reports.
WalesOnline reported earlier this week how the Welshman was considering his options after his one-year contract ended, with the Jags said to be keen to have him as part of their training camp this summer. The 23-year-old is yet to agree to stay and is currently free to speak to other NFL franchises as he assesses other potential interest.
The 23-year-old's future in American football has been the subject of speculation since news broke, although he is still determined to fulfil his NFL dream after spending the season on the Jags' practice squad. The Daily Mail report a firm deal has now been offered.
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The Jaguars have already signed seven practice squad players to what are called 'futures' contracts, which means they are unable to sign deals with other teams and will be given a shot at making the full 53-man roster in the summer. No such deal has been announced for Rees-Zammit but that appears to be because the player himself is considering what options he may have.
Jaguars are currently in the market for a new head coach, after they sacked their previous boss Doug Pedersen following a disappointing season. talkSPORT's Brian Smith, a US writer, spoke of the significance of this to WalesOnline.
"He just spent all season learning their playbook," said Smith.
"But then that playbook is going to change. They're going to bring in a new head coach who's going to change everything. There is a possibility that a new head coach could look at him and be like: 'Wow, you've got a lot of talent and I know how to get the most out of that in the NFL'. But he could also be like: 'I'm sorry, you're not good enough'."
Rees-Zammit left rugby to pursue his NFL dream just over a year ago, and was snapped up by the Kansas City Chiefs after going through the International Player Pathway. Despite signing a three-year contract, he was cut by the Chiefs ahead of the new season, but Jaguars picked him up as part of their practice squad.
Unfortunately for the British and Irish Lions tourist, he did not get elevated to the main roster once throughout the whole season. But as Rees-Zammit had explained before, the 2024/2025 season was all about learning how to play the game first.
He is currently out in Thailand with his brother, Taylor, enjoying some well-earned down time after a rollercoaster season - learning a new sport, learning two different playbooks and preparing the 53-man roster for their games each week as part of the practice squad.
The new season doesn't begin until September, and Rees-Zammit will be hoping he can make the practice squad or 53-man roster, which will be named at the end of August.
