The Chiefs are an interesting fit for another reason – a lack of talent at the wide receiver position to catch passes from Mahomes. Reports in the United States suggest that Rees-Zammit will be used as both a receiver, running back and probably as a kick returner, given his acceleration and footwork.
Last year’s Super Bowl title was viewed as a superb achievement by Reid and Mahomes given the lack of weapons at receiver, aside from Rashee Rice, last year’s rookie second-round pick. No team by mid-November had dropped more passes than Kansas City’s 2.6 per game, with Kadarious Toney and Marquez Valdes-Scantling particularly at fault (although Valdez-Scantling did go on to redeem himself with a crucial catch in the AFC Championship Game, effectively the semi-final, against the Baltimore Ravens). Toney and Justin Ross were inactive for the Super Bowl, while Skyy Moore, a second-round draft pick in 2022, did not play.
Mahomes needs weapons having relied for years on Kelce, an excellent tight end who turns 35 next season, as his primary target, particularly since one of the game’s top receivers in Tyreek Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins. Rice has shown potential, and Marquise Brown has been signed on a one-year deal worth $11 million (£8.7m). But the more options the better and in Rees-Zammit, Reid and the Chiefs clearly feel there is an intriguing athlete who might be able to stretch defences. Not forgetting Reid’s box of tricks either, putting running backs and wide receivers into unusual formations to catch out defences.
While Rees-Zammit would have been elated to sign for any NFL franchise, the Chiefs are on another level on the field and off it. Being around Reid and Mahomes and Kelce feels like Rees-Zammit has found a ‘golden ticket’, getting the chance to learn from the best of the best.