Louis Rees-Zammit’s NFL future doubtful as Jacksonville Jaguars take main determination

Louis Rees-Zammit’s future in the NFL is in doubt after his contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars expired, with the Welshman now a free agent as he looks to earn a place on a roster

Louis Rees-Zammit is mulling over his options after his contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars came to an end, leaving him without a team.

The ex-Wales sensation inked a deal with the Jaguars in August, joining their practice squad as a running back after being let go by the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rees-Zammit initially joined the Super Bowl victors on a three-year contract after impressing on the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme following his surprising departure from rugby, but was cut loose after failing to secure a spot on the 53-man roster.

After making three pre-season appearances for the Chiefs, the 23-year-old had high hopes of pushing for an NFL appearance after linking up with the Jaguars, with his coach Doug Pedersen assuring him that his “opportunity will come” after being wowed by his athleticism.

However, things haven’t gone according to plan, with Rees-Zammit not clocking a single minute for the franchise this season.

The Jaguars also missed out on the play-offs after finishing second last in AFC South, with Pedersen – the man who gave the Welshman a second shot in the NFL – getting the sack following a dismal campaign.

Now, the Jaguars have allowed Rees-Zammit’s contract to run out, leaving him as a free agent. While the franchise has signed seven players to what are known as reserve/futures contracts, the Welshman is currently not among them.

Those deals are typically offered at the end of an NFL regular season, tying practice squad members or free agents to a team and preventing them from negotiating with other franchises, even though the new league year hasn’t begun.

Teams can sign as many players as they want to futures contracts, as long as they don’t exceed the 90-man limit that kicks in on the first day of the new league year, reports Wales Online.

The fact that Rees-Zammit hasn’t been offered or accepted one yet is notable, but it’s possible he could still return to the Jaguars. According to WalesOnline, Rees-Zammit and his team are currently figuring out his next move, with his NFL future looking increasingly uncertain.

However, the Jaguars are reportedly impressed with him, and some sources suggest they’d like him to join their training camp next season. Rees-Zammit is now hoping to secure a training contract with a franchise, allowing him to compete for a spot on the main roster or practice squad.

He remains committed to succeeding in the sport. Last month, Rees-Zammit told his social media followers to “trust the process” after things slowed down for him at the end of 2024.