**Louis Rees-Zammit Opens Up About NFL Journey and Adapting to New Challenges**
Louis Rees-Zammit, the former Wales rugby union star, has recently shared candid insights into the turbulent beginnings of his NFL career. The 24-year-old, who left Gloucester Rugby to chase a new sporting chapter in the United States, has spoken about the steep learning curve he has faced since switching codes. This new phase in Rees-Zammit’s professional life has brought both challenges and excitement as he strives to earn a place on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ active roster for the upcoming season.
The Welshman’s transition has not been without complications. After being let go by the Kansas City Chiefs in pre-season, Rees-Zammit found a new opportunity with the Jacksonville Jaguars. However, his debut campaign involved significant time on the practice squad, with no regular season appearances to date. Aside from some short pre-season action with the Chiefs, the realities of American football have proven to be a much tougher mental challenge than the physically bruising nature of rugby.
A key obstacle for Rees-Zammit has been the sheer complexity of the NFL playbook. He revealed in a recent podcast interview that he is expected to master as many as 500 distinct plays before each season kicks off. Every match could require him to remember up to 100 possible moves, any of which could be called at a moment’s notice—sometimes with only three seconds to react. This is a stark contrast to his rugby days, where although physical endurance was paramount, the mental requirements rarely reached such dizzying heights.
His adjustment has been further complicated by changes behind the scenes at Jacksonville. After finishing second-from-bottom in their division and missing out on the play-offs, the Jaguars replaced former head coach Doug Pedersen. Pedersen, who had praised Rees-Zammit’s athletic attributes and assured him of future opportunities, was dismissed as the team undertook a significant overhaul. For Rees-Zammit, the coaching change means another playbook to learn, making his first year in the NFL even more demanding.
Despite this upheaval, Rees-Zammit remains optimistic about his future prospects. Speaking about the impact of a fresh coaching team, he expressed hope that new leadership and systems would invigorate the Jaguars, giving them a chance to turn their fortunes around. “With a new staff and new system, I think we’ve definitely got the players to be able to push on and do it,” he said, revealing his determination to succeed despite the odds.
Rees-Zammit has not shirked from discussing the unique challenges of American football. On the ‘Stick to Rugby’ podcast, he detailed the pressure of adapting: “It’s been pretty tough. Changing positions, changing teams, having to learn three different playbooks in a year—it hasn’t been an ideal start.” He went on to describe how, compared to rugby, the NFL is less punishing on the body but far more demanding mentally. “Physically, it’s not as demanding as rugby, it’s nowhere near. But mentally, you have to learn 500 plays… within three seconds, you’re going to line up and snap the ball.”
The complexities do not stop there. For each play called, players must understand numerous formations and concepts, with every movement and route precisely dictated by the playbook. Mistakes can carry significant consequences, and every team member’s actions are crucial—sometimes even if they aren’t directly involved with the ball.
Away from the gridiron, Rees-Zammit has been taking part in community events, helping promote the Jaguars’ Family Fun Day at Ealing Trailfinders rugby club in London. The Jaguars, along with teams like the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns, are set to play a regular-season game in London in October, underlining the NFL’s growing interest in international markets and raising the sport’s profile in the UK.
While Rees-Zammit is eager to make his mark on the field, he is also realistic about the long road ahead. The shift from rugby to American football demands patience, discipline, and adaptability. In the meantime, fans on both sides of the Atlantic will watch closely to see if this ambitious Welshman can turn his promise into playing time and, perhaps, inspire others to follow his daring career path.