One of the most versatile players in recent memory is headed elsewhere after Philadelphia Eagles fullback/linebacker Ben VanSumeren signed with the Buffalo Bills.
“Bills sign fullback Ben VanSumeren, previously Eagles,” NFL reporter Aaron Wilson wrote on his official X account on Wednesday.
Sumeren, 6-foot-2 and 231 pounds, played 3 seasons for the Eagles from 2023 to 2025, including their Super Bowl win following the 2024 season.
VanSumeren sat out all but 1 play of the 2025 season with a torn ACL.
“I’ll be rooting for Ben VanSumeren in Buffalo,” Philly Special’s Anthony DiBona wrote on his official X account. “He embraced a position change and showed flashes in Philadelphia. The Eagles will let Carson Steele and Cameron Latu battle it out for a FB role, if they’ll even keep one on the final 53-man roster.”
Ugly Moment Overshadowed Injury in Season Opener
VanSumeren suffered a torn ACL on the very 1st play of the 2025 regular season in the Eagles’ season opener against the Dallas Cowboys on the opening kickoff.
It’s a moment that was quickly overshadowed by 1 of the more infamous on-field incidents in NFL history. As trainers and team physicians attended to VanSumeren, Eagles All-Pro defensive tackle Jalen Carter spat on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and was ejected from the game.
Carter was ejected from the game, with the Eagles going on to win 24-20.
VanSumeren Switched Positions and Switched Colleges
VanSumeren started his college career at Michigan, where he was a fullback for 3 seasons before transferring to Michigan State, where he was a linebacker for 2 seasons but went undrafted despite running the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds and clocking a 42.5-inch vertical leap.
NFL draft analyst Lance Zierlein had VanSumeren projected as a priority free agent in his pre-draft profile.
“VanSumeren’s production and game tape won’t draw draftable grades, but he possesses extremely rare athletic attributes for his position and that might create an opportunity with a team coveting elite traits,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s not a thumper as a run defender and his football instincts leave much to be desired, but if he can prove himself as a special teams contributor in camp, he could force a team to give him a year on the practice squad for additional development.”
From Undrafted Free Agent to Super Bowl Champion
VanSumeren made his name as a special teams ace after making the Eagles’ roster as an undrafted free agent in 2023. Over his 1st 2 seasons, VanSumeren played on 74.5 percent of Philadelphia’s special teams snaps.
“The Buffalo Bills have added a fullback to the roster, signing former Eagles FB Ben VanSumeren to a one-year deal,” Alec White wrote on the Bills’ official website after VanSumeren’s signing. “VanSumeren’s football journey has been unique, to say the least. His athletic ability has allowed him to carve out roles wherever he is, providing value on defense, offense and special teams.”
In 3 seasons, VanSumeren has $2.165 million in career earnings.
“VanSumeran came into the NFL as a LB, playing 9 games and starting one for the Eagles in 2023,” Bills reporter Sal Capaccio wrote on his official X account. “Then moved to FB. Did reverse in college. Started out as a RB at Michigan, then moved to LB there and Michigan State.”
Eagles Lose 6-foot-2, 231-Pound Super Bowl Champion to AFC Contender