Roster cut day was not kind to former Michigan State linebacker Ben VanSumeren as he was let go by the Buffalo Bills but it didn’t take long for him to find a new home.
According to Jordan Schultz, VanSumeren signed with the Chiefs’ practice squad on Monday as a fullback which means he could soon be joining the same backfield as his fellow Peach Bowl champion former Spartan teammate Kenneth Walker III.
This doesn’t even seem fathomable after VanSumeren was carving out a role in his first three years with the Philadelphia Eagles before suffering a season-ending injury on the opening kickoff of the 2025 season. He was fresh off earning a Super Bowl ring with the franchise the year before and meanwhile, Walker was in Seattle leading the Seahawks to a Super Bowl.
Now the two are joining forces in Kansas City. Who would’ve thought?
Even crazier, the two might be sharing the same backfield at points this season in which Andy Reid feels like he needs a traditional fullback for certain matchups instead of relying on extra tight ends for blocking. It may not happen right away or even in the first month or two, but VanSumeren is undoubtedly going to make a touchdown-sealing block for Walker this season.
Anyone else getting serious Mel Tucker flashbacks?
Ben VanSumeren’s career needs to be a movie
Although he’s only been in the league for a few years, VanSumeren has one of the most interesting stories of anyone in the NFL.
He began his career as a tight end prospect but his athleticism opened him up to a world of possibilities — at Michigan. That’s right, he began his career at Michigan where he played 15 games over three years, transitioning from tight end to running back in year two and then he became a linebacker during the COVID season before transferring to rival Michigan State.
You don’t often see cross-rival transfers between Michigan and Michigan State, but VanSumeren felt like it was the right move and he was immediately locked into a linebacker role.
Although his junior season was quiet defensively, he still earned a Peach Bowl ring. As a senior, he had 81 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks but really showed his athleticism at the NFL Combine. He was projected as a late-round pick but went undrafted and then signed with the Eagles as a linebacker. In 2025, he moved to a fullback role with the Eagles and then got injured on the opening kickoff.
Now he could be paving the way for a former college teammate and Super Bowl MVP running back.
What a wild ride it’s been.
Add us as a preferred source on Google