Louis Rees-Zammit's legendary new NFL coach reveals his plan for Wales rugby star

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has spoken publicly about Louis Rees-Zammit for the first time, revealing the Super Bowl champions' plan for the former Wales wing.

The 23-year-old signed for the Chiefs last month after announcing his switch to the NFL before this year's Six Nations.

When Rees-Zammit signed a three-year deal with the Chiefs, it was reported that he would be utilized in a hybrid role between running back and wide receiver as well as being involved in the kick return game. Rees-Zammit himself recently noted that he would primarily be deployed as a return specialist.

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And, addressing Rees-Zammit for the first time, Reid confirmed that he would start his life in American football as a running back.

“He was introduced to this when he was young when his dad played for six years in the European league,” Reid explained in a press conference on Monday when asked a question about 'this rugby kid'. “He’s somewhat familiar with the sport and has had success in rugby. And there are some similarities there as a contact sport, and he’s had the ball and does those things and runs with the ball.

“We’ll start him off at the running back position and get him to feel comfortable with that. Going forward here, he’s had an opportunity to also go down there to Dallas and work with Pat (Chiefs quarter-back Patrick Mahomes), and so again, he’ll get used to some of these calls through our Zooms and the plays, and then we’ll just see where it goes from there.”

Rees-Zammit started with the Chiefs at the start of this week, as the NFL's offseason workout program began. Prior to that, he had spent some time with Patrick Mahomes in Texas - with the Chiefs quarter-back tending to start pre-season with a workout in his home state with a selection of receivers.

While Reid has outlined the plan for Rees-Zammit to be a running back, the changes to kick-off formation will likely see the former Gloucester wing involved on that front as well.

The change in kick-off formation for next season has led to more interest in Rugby players because of the similar alignments. Reid addressed the strong possibility of Rees-Zammit immediately filling that role.

“Potentially, they’re all out there working on returns,” said Reid, who left that decision to special teams coordinator Dave Toub. “So before and during practice, we’ll just see what his feel is and where that goes.”

He added: “Dave will have an opportunity to have him on special teams and see where that goes.

"That’s not an easy transition, but he seems to have been wired to playing competitive rugby professionally since he was 17. He’s sitting there 23; he’s had a pretty good career, with that kind of understanding of the professional game and the mindset to play at the professional level.”