KANSAS CITY, Mo — The Kansas City Chiefs' rookies have now gone through their first set of organized team activities and a mandatory mini camp.
With day two of training camp in the books, the newest and youngest Chiefs are learning about the challenge transitioning from the college game to the professional level.
Fortunately, Kansas City's veterans have been willing to help with the switch.
"There's a way to do things," 2019 third-round pick defensive tackle Khalen Saunders said. "That's what I've learned since I've been here. There's a right way, your way and a professional way."
Running back Darwin Thompson, a 2019 sixth-round draft pick, hopes to land a roster spot in a backup role this season, so he's taking plenty of notes on and off the field.
"The transition of becoming a professional is the hardest thing about becoming a professional," Thompson said. "It's that transition in the middle. It's not necessarily when you get there. You are not in college anymore. This is not for a scholarship. This is an everyday job. We are here from 7 in the morning until 10 at night. It's a everyday job."
Tight end Blake Bell, a native of Wichita, isn't a rookie and isn't new to professional football. But he is new to the team and his Chiefs roots run deep.
Bell has fond memories of coming to Arrowhead Stadium as a child to see his uncle Mike play for the Chiefs.
"He tells me it's a great organization, a good place to be, obviously close to home and what a special place it is," Bell said. "He's had a lot of stories. Hopefully, during this training camp, we will see him here and we will get to experience a little bit more."
