The Kansas City Chiefs just made a fascinating roster move.

The reigning, back-to-back Super Bowl champions have reportedly agreed a deal to sign former Welsh rugby union star Louis Rees-Zammit, who quit his previous sport in January to pursue a dream career in the NFL.

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Rees-Zammit will join the reigning Super Bowl champsCredit: Getty
Lightning quick Rees-Zammit is 6ft 3in, weighs 200lbs, and is widely expected to play wide receiver or running back.

However, according to one NFL Insider, the 23-year-old is also set to be involved in the Chiefs’ kickoffs next season as a returner.

The development that Rees-Zammit could feature on special teams is hugely significant and follows the major NFL kickoff rule change that was announced this week.

The new hybrid kickoff rule is based on the XFL model and will be implemented from next season on a one-year trial basis.

The change has been made to reduce the number of high-speed collisions and increase the number of returns.

Essentially, returners will be afforded way more space than ever before, with the kicking unit lining up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line.

The receiving team lines up between their own 35- and 30-yard lines, but crucially both the kicking and receiving team’s players cannot move until the kick has hit the ground or a player is in the ‘landing zone’ – between the goal line and the 20-yard line – or the end zone.

However, the returner(s), potentially Rees-Zammit, is permitted to move at any time before or during the kickoff.

Rees-Zammit could be the returner in the backfield with tons of space to run intoCredit: X@AdamSchefter

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He is rapid and could be a deadly secret weapon on the Chiefs special teams next yearCredit: Getty
Under the new kickoff rule, he would therefore face significantly less immediate pressure and tons more open field to run into.

Rees-Zammit has shown over his rugby career how easily he is able to eat up ground by putting on the afterburners, and that raw pace could see him gain significant yardage in kickoff situations for the Chiefs next season.

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Bringing in someone with the Welshman’s skillset after such a major overhaul to the rules is an incredibly savvy move on the Chiefs’ part.

Head coach Andy Reid could well have a secret weapon on his hands on special teams next season that every other team failed to move on.

After the news was announced, highlights of Rees-Zammit’s rugby career went viral and showed not only how fast he is but how deadly he is in the open field.

Fans connected the dots and commented how effective he could be as a returner next season.

“Why do I feel like this has something to do with the new kick off rule?” one fan asked.

“Chiefs are going to treat the new kickoff like rugby, with wings and backs, and I am absolutely here for it,” a second said.

“Brett Veach [Chiefs general manager] playing chess, all others playing checkers…” another wrote.

“Our new kick returner!” one excited fan added.

“Well this is interesting? Andy Reid already designing plays for his new offensive weapon!” said a fifth.

Rees-Zammit recently completed a 10-week training camp as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme.

He is said to have impressed numerous league scouts at his pro day and posted a 4.43 time in his 40-yard dash as well as a 9ft 7in broad jump and 29-inch vertical jump.

The New York Jets, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns were reportedly interested in striking a deal with Rees-Zammit but the Chiefs apparently got there first.

He made his Wales rugby debut in 2020 and was capped 31 times by his country as a winger and at fullback.

The speedster announced his decision to join the NFL’s International Player Pathway programme on the eve of Wales’ Six Nations campaign in January.

“I have had the incredible honor of playing rugby for my country which, as a proud Welshman, I’ve never taken for granted,” he said in a statement at the time.

“However, I believe that this is the right time for me to realize another professional goal of playing American football in the US.