Patrick Mahomes gets serious with Louis Rees-Zammit and squeezes him hard: There’s not…see more

Patrick Mahomes gets serious with Louis Rees-Zammit and squeezes him hard: There’s not much time
The Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback laid down the law to his latest recruit

Patrick Mahomes told his latest Kansas City Chiefs’ colleague he doesn’t have a lot of time to prepare for the NFL as Louis Rees-Zammit continues his transition from professional Rugby Union to American Football.

The Welsh player is switching form by chasing his dream of competing in the NFL after the Chiefs selected him to their Super Bowl-winning roster which includes Mahomes and Travis Kelce, through the International Player Pathway Program.

And in true British Rugby fashion, the 23-year-old speedster is not eager to score his first touchdown, he’s keen to see which sport hurts more than the other.

“I’m excited, I can’t wait to see the difference,” Rees-Zammit said to media. “I get that question all time; what is harder hitting, rugby or American football? We’ll soon find out.

“It’s going to be fun. I’ve played a contact sport since I was 12. That’s bone on bone but we’ll see what it’s like when we come to pads.”

However, Mahomes has already given him a warning if he hopes to make the 53-man roster cut to receive throws from the triple Super Bowl champion by telling him he doesn’t have much time to figure out how to play.

“The quarterbacks are very helpful, the likes of Pat, Carson (Wentz), everyone is so helpful, especially with me,” Rees-Zammit added. “A new guy coming in and not really knowing much about a playbook.”

“They’re trying to allow me to learn, give me time, but at the same time pushing me as hard as I can because I need to try and learn this quickly as there’s not much time.”

Rees-Zammit shrugs off physicality talk

Known for his speed, the young player has faced questions about whether he will be able to take the big hits dished out weekly in the NFL, but he is very confident in his own skills and talent.

He did, however, suggest he has some mental work to do to ensure he’s on the same level as his receiving peers such as Kelce, Mecole Hardman and Rashee Rice as he looks to collect his maiden ring in his debut season.

“It’s so different to what I’m used to,” Rees-Zammit told media. “In rugby you don’t have to learn as much, but physically I think I’m in good shape. I think rugby really prepared me for this, with the conditioning.

“I think the biggest difference is just mental, staying on top of things, staying on top of the playbook and making no mistakes. I’m trying to learn as much as I can and trying to bring what I’ve got already in rugby to the American Football side of it and give it my all.”