Louis Rees-Zammit’s bold leap from rugby union to American football has taken another intriguing turn, as the Jacksonville Jaguars have reclassified the Welshman’s roster status under the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) scheme.
The 24-year-old former Wales and British & Irish Lions winger—still relatively new to the gridiron—was initially snapped up by the Kansas City Chiefs before joining Jacksonville’s practice squad in August last year. After switching from running back to wide receiver to better suit the Jaguars’ system, Rees-Zammit spent the 2024 season acclimatising to the nuances of the sport within a professional NFL environment.
Although his original contract expired at the close of the season, Rees-Zammit’s ambition and work ethic clearly didn’t go unnoticed. The Jaguars moved quickly to bring him back, securing his signature on a pre-season deal that places him among nearly 100 hopefuls vying for a coveted spot on the 53-man active roster.
Now, in a strategic shift that speaks volumes, Jacksonville have altered Rees-Zammit’s roster designation to “Exempt/International Player”—a move that offers both opportunities and protection under the league’s 2024 IPP rules.
“We have changed WR Louis Rees-Zammit’s roster status from Active to Exempt/International Player,” read the team’s official statement. “We have agreed to terms with two undrafted free agents: WR Darius Lassiter and WR Dorian Singer. The Jaguars currently have 91 players on the roster, including one roster exemption (Rees-Zammit).”
While on the surface it may appear like a step sideways, the implications are quietly positive for the Welshman. Under current IPP provisions, each NFL franchise is permitted one additional practice squad slot—exclusive to international talent. Importantly, players in this exempt role are protected from being signed by rival teams and can be elevated to the active roster up to three times during the regular season.
In other words, Rees-Zammit is now effectively untouchable in the short term, giving the Jaguars time and space to develop him without the threat of poaching. With roster cuts looming, this status offers a form of insulation—not rejection.
It’s worth noting that last year, Rees-Zammit was widely tipped to claim the Chiefs’ IPP exemption spot, only to see it go to fellow programme graduate Jason “Chu” Godrick. This latest development in Jacksonville could suggest a stronger level of belief from the Jaguars’ coaching staff in Rees-Zammit’s long-term potential.
Of course, the door isn’t closed on alternative interpretations. The move could also be seen as hedging bets—a way to retain the Welshman’s services without yet committing to a full roster slot. But if that’s the case, it only further underlines how valuable he is: worth holding onto, even amid fierce competition.
For his part, Rees-Zammit remains unwavering in his focus. Eighteen months after walking away from international rugby, he is doubling down on his NFL ambitions.
“No, I didn’t give [rugby] up just to leave it after a year… That was never really in my head at all… It was just about refreshing the mind and body, go away for four weeks and then make a decision. I did that and I am forever grateful to Jaguars for offering it to me.”
Speaking to reporters, his conviction was even clearer:
“I’ve never thought about going back to rugby. It hasn’t been in my head that I’m not going to do this. I’ve always wanted this. The second it [returning to rugby] creeps into your head you start doubting yourself—and that’s not going to happen with me.”
As the Jaguars’ off-season continues and final cuts approach, all eyes in Wales—and increasingly across the NFL—will be watching to see whether Rees-Zammit can take the next step. Whether his future lies on the final 53-man roster or in a specialised developmental role, one thing is certain: the Welshman isn’t done dreaming. And he’s not done fighting for it either.
