How Chiefs’ Louis Rees-Zammit, former Welsh rugby star, plans to make NFL

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Before he touched the ball with 21 other players on the field alongside him Monday, Louis Rees-Zammit needed to get his various techniques correct.

Rees-Zammit listened and observed how Porter Ellett, Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant running backs coach, placed his feet and bent his knees before stepping forward. A few minutes later, Ellett corrected Rees-Zammit again, as his hands were not in the proper spot to block a blitzing defender.

Rees-Zammit’s new position (running back) within a new job (with the Chiefs) within a new sport (the NFL) has required different footwork from him, too.

“It’s completely different,” Rees-Zammit said Monday of his transition from rugby star to NFL rookie with no previous experience in American football. “In rugby it’s free flowing — unless you get a set piece. It’s been interesting to learn the (Chiefs) playbook. Obviously, we’re only a few installs in. I’ve only been here for a week but, yeah, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t wait to see what happens next.”

Neither can the Chiefs. No newcomer to their 91-man roster is as fascinating — or charming — as Rees-Zammit, a 23-year-old who was one of the leading wingers in world rugby. Nicknamed “Rees-Lightning,” Rees-Zammit was named to the British & Irish Lions squad — a combined side of players from England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland — in 2021. It’s considered one of the greatest honors in the sport.

After months of training, Rees-Zammit’s first practices as a football player occurred last week during the Chiefs’ three-day rookie minicamp. He was a full participant and displayed his skills — speed, reliable hands and above-average vision — that have intrigued the Chiefs so much.

The most important part of the camp for Rees-Zammit was when he didn’t have the ball in his hands, though. Coach Andy Reid wanted to evaluate how well Rees-Zammit performed the small details of his position — such as being in sync with his teammates on a play’s snap count, lining up at the correct spot among various formations, and executing his pre-snap assignments, whether motioning across the formation or adjusting to what the quarterback wants following an audible.

“This was good for him,” Reid said of Rees-Zammit. “He got a lot of reps. When the (veterans) are here, he’s rotating in with those guys and he doesn’t get a ton of reps there. This gave him an opportunity to really jump in and learn.

“He’s so diligent with everything and wants to be so good at everything. I’ve appreciated that. You can see the progress he’s made.”

#Chiefs: a look at Louis Rees-Zammit who will be at the podium post practice pic.twitter.com/Cf0dy6XyWC

— McKenzie Nelson (@McKenzieMNelson) May 6, 2024

Rees-Zammit’s best moment during the minicamp occurred Sunday. On this rep, the offense executed everything perfectly. The play was designed for Rees-Zammit: a screen pass to the right side of the…