Veteran offensive lineman Ben Grubbs, with eight years of NFL experience, walked into the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex Friday morning having already talked to head coach Andy Reid on the phone.
Reid had welcomed him with open arms.
"One thing that Andy Reid stressed and put emphasis on was I'm going to be family here," Grubbs explained. "It's just a great feeling. I couldn't be in a better situation."
Grubbs came to the Chiefs in a trade Friday morning for an undisclosed draft pick after three years (2012-2014) as a member of the New Orleans Saints. Before that, he had spent the first five years of his career (2007-2011) in Baltimore.
During his eight-year career between Baltimore and New Orleans, Grubbs reached the Pro Bowl twice (2011, 2013).
"We acquired a very good football player via trade with the New Orleans Saints today," Chiefs general manager John Dorsey stated in a release to the press. "Ben is a talented veteran that has played a key role on a number of productive NFL offenses. He's smart, physical, and we believe he will be a good addition to our offensive line."
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Photos of the Chiefs guard Ben Grubbs
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As a result of the trade, Grubbs, 31, joins an already very young offensive line unit. As of Friday, the rest of the offensive linemen on the Chiefs roster shared a median age of 25.7, meaning Grubbs is about five years older than most of his fellow linemen.
What that equates to from purely an age standpoint is that it's likely Grubbs will serve as a leader for an impressionable corps.
"Through my career, I was in their positions. I was a young guy and I had Matt Birk in Baltimore," he said. "He was really that leader in the offensive line and as I got older, I learned things from the guys that taught me and I take pride in being the older guy."
Grubbs continued.
"I know that they're in a different stage of their lives right now," he said. "I'm married with four kids, but I've been there and hopefully they allow me teach them what I know."
In talking with Grubbs, it quickly becomes apparent that he is a guy that oozes competitiveness. One thing he says he particularly likes to do is "impose his will on players."
"I like to see players quit and I like to win," he said. "I've won a lot in my career and that's why I'm here."
He believes that success (According to Pro Football Reference, a 70-52 regular season record with six playoff wins) came from his enthusiasm for the game.
"I'm passionate," he frankly said. "I'm passionate and I like to be the best player that I can be on and off the field. I work hard and it's a natural progression. Offseason, you put in the work. You put in so much work, it would be a shame for you to step on the field and have it to be in vain."
Grubbs intends to continued that attitude, work ethic and trend in Kansas City.
"I couldn't be in a better position right now, really. People get traded and it doesn't really turn out well, but I'm very happy to be in a place such as this."