No Free Lunches in the NFL

Travis Bell

Before chasing NFL dreams, Travis Bell made his mark at Kennesaw State — seen here locking in on a tackle with the same determination that would eventually get him drafted.

Pre-Draft Background: Travis Bell made history when he became the first player ever drafted out of Kennesaw State. That fact alone puts his name in the school’s record books and is a badge of honor that he’ll carry with him for life. He was a 7th-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears — a team that was clearly trying to add depth and potential across the defensive line.

Post-Draft Reality: Unfortunately, his rookie year didn’t lead to much in terms of actual snaps or even consistent practice squad presence with the Bears. He bounced around practice squads and, most recently, has been signed by the Minnesota Vikings. While bouncing around may not sound like a success story, it’s important to note that being added to any NFL team — even a practice squad — is still a significant achievement. It means that coaches around the league see something in you, even if it’s not fully developed yet.

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Development Curve: Bell is the textbook definition of a developmental player. Coming from a smaller school like Kennesaw State means you’re often behind the curve in terms of competition and experience at the NFL level. Players in that situation need strong coaching and time to develop — and more often than not, they don’t get either in today’s NFL. Still, Bell being drafted at all was a major accomplishment. Remaining in the league in any capacity since then shows he’s working hard to keep the dream alive.

Final Thoughts: There really are no free lunches in the NFL. Travis Bell isn’t getting by on hype or pedigree — he’s had to earn every opportunity he’s been given, no matter how small. There’s not much tape, not many stat lines to review, and not many headlines. But there is a story: one of persistence, belief, and continuing to fight for a shot in the league. Whether or not he ever cracks a 53-man roster for a full season, the fact that he’s still around tells you something about the kind of person — and player — he is.