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Louis Rees-Zammit's Chiefs deal: More details emerge
By Ian Cameron
More details are emerging about Louis Rees-Zammit's deal with Super Bowl winning NFL franchise, the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Welsh flyer is set to sign a contract with the side today (Friday) as a free agent and is set to earn considerably more than if the standard package for an NFL practice squad player.
American football journalist Ian Rapoport revealed on X that the former British & Irish Lions tourist will sign a three-year deal with the Chiefs, marking a major step in his journey to realise his dream of cracking the NFL.
"Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit will be in Kansas City today to sign his three-year contract with the Chiefs, one that includes some guaranteed money and a signing bonus," wrote Rapoport.
RugbyPass revealed last week that the 23-year-old had a number of offers from NFL sides before agreeing the deal with the Chiefs, which could see him earning north of £700,000 a season. It's only a modest increase on his potential earnings in rugby, where he had been offered £600,000 by at least one Japanese club.
The deal is a major up-tick in his professional path as he looks to transition from Gloucester wing to potentially taking the field as a running back or wide receiver for the Chiefs, a career switch-up which was originally initiated this January when he opted for the NFL's IPP just as the Six Nations squad was being announced.
Despite expressing disappointment in his 4.44-second sprint at the IPP Pro Day at the University of South Florida his performance was enough to intrigue the Chiefs. As offseason workouts and training camps loom Rees-Zammit is poised to train alongside NFL elites like Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce; offering him a unique opportunity to integrate into American football before the season kicks off in September.
The anticipation around Rees-Zammit's NFL debut will continue to build especially considering his recent signing with Roc Nation Sports - Jay-Z's talent agency. The next step will be if Rees-Zammit can transition his rugby prowess to American football and secure a roster spot with the Chiefs.
The odds are still heavily stacked against him but so far he appears to be making all the right moves.
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Love the reaction after last 2 W.Cups re rule changes…maybe good for more for more of a “ league” type running game( which I personally don’t like) but seems Rassie is definitely in ther heads…
Go to commentsAfter a fairly simple Pac4, the BFs will find out a lot about themselves in September when they face the rampaging RedRoses at Twickenham in front of a record crowd. After that they will face them again in Canada in WXV1. They also have France to contend with. Will be interesting to see what Australia have to offer with Jo Yapp at the helm.
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