Rees-Zammit ends audition for Chiefs roster spot

Louis Rees-Zammit had bright moments on his final chance to impress in preseason and stake his claim for a spot on the Kansas City Chiefs' 53-man regular season roster.

The Chiefs were well beaten 34-21 by the Chicago Bears on Thursday night, with the former Wales rugby star once again utilised in a number of roles.

Rees-Zammit was introduced on offense in the second half after a couple of special teams snaps in the first two quarters.

Watched on by his family, the 23-year-old made 36 yards on a kick return and showed improvement as a running back.

The highlight of his performance came early in the fourth quarter as he rushed for 10 yards and a first down, the longest of his young NFL career.

Now Rees-Zammit must wait for the franchise to decide who makes the cut from 90 players down to 53 for the start of the 2024 NFL season.

Head coach Andy Reid and the rest of the backroom staff at the Chiefs have until 21:00 BST on Tuesday, 27 August to finalise their regular season roster.

Back in January 2024, Rees-Zammit stunned the rugby world on the day Wales named their Six Nations squad.

The 23-year-old announced he would leave the sport immediately in order to pursue "a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

Rees-Zammit took part in the 2024 NFL International Player Pathway (IPP), a 10-week crash course designed to teach players the skills to succeed in the NFL.

In late March, Rees-Zammit had the chance to impress scouts at the University of South Florida's Pro Day, and he made an impression.

The New York Jets, Cleveland Browns and Denver Broncos all met with the former Wales wing, before Rees-Zammit signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs.

In May 2024, Rees-Zammit met his new team-mates for the first time - where he compared quarterback Patrick Mahomes to former Wales fly-half Dan Biggar.

Rees-Zammit spent the early part of the summer continuing to improve his on-field skills, while also studying the Chiefs' extensive playbook.

The Chiefs returned to training camp in late July, with Rees-Zammit having eye-catching moments among others which highlighted his inexperience in the sport.

Then came time for his debut against the Jacksonville Jaguars on 10 August, where Rees-Zammit performed as running back, kicker and kick-returner.

A week later he made his home debut at Arrowhead against the Detroit Lions, once again appearing in a number of positions which highlighted his versatility.

The Chiefs rounded off preseason with Thursday night's loss against the Bears, their third straight defeat of preseason.

Rees-Zammit was once again made to wait to take to the field, but he gained more experience on special teams and at running back during the game.

After announcing his decision to pursue a career in the NFL, Rees-Zammit said he was targeting a role on offense.

"Running back, receiver, a bit of a hybrid. Whatever I get told, I will do," Rees-Zammit said back in January.

Rees-Zammit had limited opportunities at running back and wide receiver during the Chiefs' three preseason games.

Based on the short sample size, and his efficiency when presented with the opportunities, it appears unlikely Rees-Zammit will carve out a role in either position on offence in 2024.

To make matters worse for Rees-Zammit, another rookie running back - Carson Steele - has demonstrated elite ability during preseason, capped off with a 31-yard run and touchdown against the Bears.

In the fourth quarter against the Bears, Rees-Zammit did show glimpses of what he can offer out of the backfield.

He averaged 5.2 yards per carry over four rushing attempts, a mark which is above the NFL average.

It is on special teams that Rees-Zammit has had more involvement in preseason.

On his debut, Rees-Zammit made a tackle during a special teams and also took a kick-off.

He continued his kicking duties against the Lions and returned a kick-off for 27 yards.

And against the Bears, Rees-Zammit recorded his career-high return of 36 yards.

While the likelihood of Rees-Zammit cracking the 53-man regular season roster appears to be small, it is not impossible.

The construction of NFL rosters is a complicated business, and the Chiefs are likely to take all the time available to them to make their decision.

Rees-Zammit is among the Chiefs players currently on the 'roster bubble' - the name given to those fighting for the final few spots.

At running back, the Chiefs have a clear first-choice in Isiah Pacheco, while former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire should remain part of the roster.

The emergence of Steele in preseason has given him a real shot at making the regular-season roster at running back, while Rees-Zammit, Prince, Emani Bailey and Keaontay Ingram are also part of the Chiefs' offseason roster.

If Rees-Zammit is to work his way into the regular season roster it will more likely be as part of special teams.

As things stand, there are a number of players ahead of him on the depth chart as kick returners, including the likes of Mercole Hardman and rookie Xavier Worthy.

Rees-Zammit will have to prove himself as a real threat on kick returns to improve his chances of breaking into the regular-season roster.

Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker - the highest-paid player at the position in the NFL - will continue to take kick-offs for the AFC West champions.

Typically, NFL franchises only name one kicker on regular season rosters, so Rees-Zammit will have to look elsewhere for his roster spot despite taking kick-offs in preseason.

The good news for Rees-Zammit is that his worst case scenario is far from problematic.

If there is no room on the 53-man roster for him, he has a space reserved for him on the Chiefs practice squad courtesy of the IPP.

Traditionally, practice squads had a maximum of 16 players, but from 2024 all NFL franchises can have 17 if one is a qualifying player from the IPP.

Last season, players on a practice squad had a yearly salary of £170,700 - just under £10,000 for each of the 18 weeks of the regular season.

As part of the practice squad, Rees-Zammit would remain part of franchise which has won back-to-back Super Bowls and attracting new audiences - including Taylor Swift fans as a result of her relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

There, Rees-Zammit would continue to develop his skills, and be on hand to step up to the 53-man roster should injuries occur.

The new rule changes in 2024 will also allow the Chiefs to promote Rees-Zammit to the active 53-man squad without taking up a space for a game up to three times during the season.

If Rees-Zammit does land on the practice squad, he will have 12 months to improve before getting the chance demonstrate his new skills in the 2025 preseason.