'Never going to work' - Rees-Zammit questioned over NFL decision after U-turn

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Louis-Rees Zammit has announced that he will be leaving the NFL to make a sensational return to rugby.

But his contract was not renewed at the end of the 2024 season and he was then placed on their exempt/international player list.

And now, as the new NFL season gets set to begin, Rees-Zammit has called time on his bid to succeed in the USA, having not made a single regular-season appearance.

"I've got an exciting announcement to make! I've decided to leave the NFL and return to rugby," he posted on Instagram.

"It's been a great experience but it's time to come home. I've decided that this is the best time to make this decision to give myself time to get everything in place for next season.

"There's only one thing that's on my mind, that's coming back to rugby and doing what I do best. I can't explain how excited I am!!

"There'll be more news to come soon but for now, see you soon rugby fans."

Stelling has discussed Rees-Zammit's decision to join the NFL last year and believes it was never going to work out.

The 24-year-old made his announcement to leave rugby on the day Wales were naming their Six Nations squad, with the winger set to be included in the team.

He also seemed to sacrifice his place on this summer's British and Irish Lions tour with his decision, after being part of the squad for their tour in 2021.

And Stelling couldn't understand why he opted to do that by thinking his rugby ability would translate to the NFL.

He said live on talkSPORT: "It's a different sport, a different sport!

"It's like saying because I can play cricket, I can be a good tennis player, it doesn't automatically follow."

Since Rees-Zammit left rugby, Wales have only won one international game and have been on their worst ever run whilst he's been away.

That has led Stelling to admit that he could well be returning at just the right time to avoid criticism from his nation.

"It's all about timing," the talkSPORT Breakfast host added.

"He's going to come back now when Welsh rugby is going through absolute turmoil and he will no doubt become a superstar for them again.

"But he's the latest in the long line who has gone out to the States to try and make it in the NFL.

"How many have done it? How many have made it?"

talkSPORT's NFL expert, Brian T. Smith, has given his thoughts on Rees-Zammit's decision to return to rugby.

Smith told talkSPORT.com: "It all feels like a media stunt.

"This was like thinking you could go from playing football for fun with your friends on Saturday morning in a park to suddenly making an NFL roster and being a starting wide receiver in the biggest sport in America.

"He was way out of his depth and he never should have left rugby. I wanted to believe it and it would have been an amazing story. But he needed to be fully dedicated and willing to sacrifice everything just to make -- and stay -- on a practice squad for years.

"In the US, kids dream of making the NFL from 5-years-old and it's a total obsession. Bouncing between running back and receiver was a horrible idea, and he didn't help himself with all the Instagram stuff.

"This was never going to work, and it was obvious last season when the Jaguars practiced in London that something was off. It didn't seem like he wanted to be there, and he was just being used to promote the NFL."