Gloucester wing Christian Wade says Louis Rees-Zammit’s NFL dream is not over after the former Wales rugby union star was not selected in the Kansas City Chiefs’ 53-man squad for the 2024 season.
Rees-Zammit, who quit rugby in January to pursue a career in the NFL, has been training with the Chiefs throughout the offseason.
The 23-year-old played in all three of their pre-season games, but missed out on the NFL’s ‘cutdown day’.
Teams have an offseason training squad of 90 players and but had to select 53 players for the start of the season before Tuesday’s deadline.
Rees-Zammit will now be placed on waivers, meaning another team can sign him, but he is expected to continue training with the Chiefs as part of their practice squad.
That would give him more time to adapt to the sport, and the NFL champions can promote him to their active roster up to three times during the season.
NFL teams can promote two players from their practice squad each game, meaning Rees-Zammit’s hopes of playing during the regular season are not over.
Wade also attempted to make the breakthrough in American football, spending three seasons with the Buffalo Bills before returning to rugby union.
He insists the door is not closed on Rees-Zammit’s dream despite his setback this week.
“It is completely different, the way sport over there works,” said Wade.
“Just to be in the NFL and be able to represent the badge is the goal. For him to do that is success in itself.
“Anything else he does is a bonus. Now it is up to him to try and put himself in a position to be able to contribute as much as possible.
“Contributing, whether it is just be being in the building, giving good reps in practice, getting game-time, making good plays.
“That is all everyone is trying to do, get to the league and once they get there just try to survive. That is what it is.”
