The Jacksonville Jaguars are using training camp to assess the roster and came to the conclusion that a receiver project isn't part of their plans for 2025. Similarly, they decided that the offensive line could use help.
A week away from their first preseason game, the Jags announced that they've waived International Pathway player Louis Rees-Zammit and signed offensive lineman Ricky Lee.
Normally, other clubs could claim Rees-Zammit, but he's returning to rugby after giving the NFL a shot, according to a post NFL UK & Ireland made on Twitter.
Louis Rees-Zammit is leaving the NFL to return to rugby. The Welshman took part in the International Player Pathway Program and spent time on the @Chiefs and @Jaguars.
— NFL UK & Ireland (@NFLUKIRE) August 1, 2025
All the best for the future, Louis! ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/HAsFRvL84a
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How does moving on from Louis Rees-Zammit affect the Jaguars?
Waiving Louis Rees-Zammit won't have a negative impact on the Jaguars. He was a project to begin with and a long shot to make an impact. Sure, the physical traits were there, but he had an uphill battle to make the transition from professional rugby to NFL wide receiver.
After joining the International Pathway Program in January 2024, Rees-Zammit signed with the Chiefs in March. He spent the offseason with them but was waived before the regular season began. The Jags swooped in and signed him to their practice squad.
Rees-Zammit was signed to a future contract after 2024 and spent this past offseason in Jacksonville. Before he got the boot, he was behind the likes of Joshua Cephus, Trent Irwin, and Eli Pancol on the receiver depth chart. Simply put, he was going to have a hard time sticking around.
With Rees-Zammit no longer in the mix, the team's brass can turn their focus to Cephus, Pancol, and J.J. Jones, receivers that may have a better shot at either making the team or landing in the practice squad next season.
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How about Ricky Lee? Can he make the Jaguars roster?
Ricky Lee has been a journeyman throughout his NFL career. He signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent in 2023 and has spent time with the Minnesota Vikings, the Cleveland Browns, and the New York Giants. The North Carolina A&T product has yet to play a regular-season game. He last suited up for the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League.
The truth is that it's hard to see Lee make the Jaguars practice squad, let alone the 53-man roster. Signing him might've been a sign that offensive lineman Patrick Mekari will miss time. He's dealing with back spasms and hasn't suited up for several practices in training camp. The team might've needed extra bodies, so they brought Lee in.
Ultimately, neither move is going to move the needle, but the Jaguars had to make them anyway. There was no point in keeping Louis Rees-Zammit around if they had no use for him. Similarly, they kicked the tires on Ricky Lee because you can never have enough depth in the offensive trenches.