I spent summer with Kelce and Mahomes, but my NFL dream now lives on in Florida

Louis-Rees Zammit has left behind the three-peat chasing Kansas City Chiefs for a new start in Jacksonville – and a change in position was part of the reasoning for swapping Missouri for Florida.

LRZ was cut by the Chiefs last week as they named their 53-player roster for the 2024 season – and it was something of a surprise when he was picked up by the Jags.

” I’m obviously playing wide receiver here which has been amazing and it’s completely different to what I was doing at the Chiefs but you know I’m very thankful for them for giving me my first opportunity and first taste of the NFL,” Rees-Zammit told Will Gavin in an exclusive interview on the new talkSPORT End Zone NFL channel.

“You know going into OTAs and training camp I learned so much from them and that was amazing but unfortunately that didn’t work out. And now I’m here and I’m absolutely loving it.

 “I’ve always wanted to play wide receiver with my speed and strength.

“I think it’s the best position for me and this is the first time training at wide receiver and and giving it a real shot. Obviously I was playing running back at Kansas City and maybe that just didn’t work out for me and maybe that wasn’t the right position for me.”

For months, Rees-Zammit was linked to Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.

The name of the 23-year-old former rugby player from Wales was also loosely associated with Taylor Swift, as Rees-Zammit regularly stayed in the news while trying to make the Chiefs’ 53-man roster out of training camp.

But last Tuesday, Rees-Zammit failed to make Kansas City’s final cut, despite playing multiple positions during offseason workouts.

The former Wales international rugby star was signed to a three-year deal in Kansas City, primarily on the basis of a skillset the reigning Super Bowl champions felt could translate to the running back, and kick returner positions.

However, after moving on from a summer alongside Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce – Rees-Zammit revealed that his superstar summer teammates have been in touch to wish him well.

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 “I had so many messages from all of them wishing me luck. I’ve been playing the game for three months,” Rees-Zammit said.

“They just said stick at it and keep working on what you can work on and eventually everything will work out.

“They didn’t know that I was going to change positions and stuff. So in terms of that advice, then probably not. But it’s more, I’m a very hard worker and I really want this.”

It was widely expected that the rookie trying to change sports would remain with the Chiefs, who have won back-to-back Super Bowls and are aiming for an historic three-peat.

Yet Jacksonville came calling and Rees-Zammit chose an AFC South squad that has two games in London this year.

Each NFL team is allowed up to 17 players on a practice squad. 

Rees-Zammit will work out against the Jaguars’ 53-man roster and he could be promoted to the active roster at any point during the regular season.

He’s also still learning a new sport, different rules and a huge NFL playbook.

“On the day I signed I trained which is brilliant, got straight into it, got stuck into the playbook and that’s the best thing I can do because you know I’ve got to learn it all from the start again.

“I’m very determined to learn as quick as possible and try and get on the field ultimately. I’ve had three training sessions now and it’s going really well,

“I’m very thankful to Jacksonville Jaguars for allowing me this opportunity.”

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The rookie — whose photo isn’t shown on the Jaguars’ official team roster — has been given No. 84 by Jacksonville.

He stands 6ft 2in, weighs 209lbs and is slotted as a wide receiver on Jacksonville’s website.

With the Chiefs, Rees-Zammit displayed glimpses of what he’s capable of during preseason games against the Jaguars, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

He made his preseason debut in a 26-13 defeat to the Jaguars and was involved in a four different roles: running back, kick returner, kicker and punt coverage.

He overcame a back issue to make his home preseason debut with the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium against the Lions.

The speedster returned a Detroit kickoff for 27 yards and briefly operated as a wide receiver.

His final preseason game came in a 34-21 defeat to the Caleb Williams-less Bears.

Jacksonville opens Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season at the Miami Dolphins, face back-to-back games in London, and while there is ambition to get on the field, LRZ knows there is a long game to play.

“I haven’t got massive expectations in making a 53 straight away. You know there’s always a plan in my head that I can make it in the sport,” he added.

“I’ve got to work on being a receiver, being a solid receiver, being trustworthy, being able to learn the playbook, know it inside out and being someone that coaches can look at me and rely on me.

“So, it’s going to take time, no doubt. Moving to another team is difficult but I’m going to learn this playbook as quick as I can and then give the coaches the reason to put me on the field. I don’t know when that’s going to be: but I’m going to work as hard as I can to make that happen.”

The Jaguars finished 9-8 last season but failed to make the playoffs after giving up the AFC South to the Houston Texans.

Head coach Doug Pederson could use Rees-Zammit in a variety of ways with the Jaguars, who are led by Trevor Lawrence at quarterback and were Super Bowl contenders entering last season.

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