Chiefs draft pick chose to rejoin KC instead of staying with AFC West rival

The Denver Broncos' three-game winning streak wasn't enough to coax Kansas City Chiefs draft pick Keondre Coburn to stay with their team. 

The former sixth-round draft pick out of Texas has seen a tumultuous five weeks. He was first waived by the Chiefs, who intended to re-sign him to the practice squad. He was claimed by the Broncos, who kept him on the active roster as a healthy scratch for three games, including their record-snapping win over Kansas City in Week 8. 

Fast forward to Week 11, and the Broncos waive Coburn. They intended to re-sign him to the practice squad, even releasing CB Reese Taylor (also a former Chief) to make room for Coburn. The rookie, however, received another offer. The Chiefs kept to their original intentions and re-signed Coburn to the practice squad. Denver ultimately re-signed Taylor after they'd learned the news that Coburn would not be returning.

Speaking to KSHB-TV's Aaron Ladd in the locker room this week, Coburn revealed some of his reasoning for returning to Kansas City.

"When they came to Denver for the game, I saw some of my guys on the sideline like Felix (Anudike-Uzomah) and BJ (Thompson) and them," Coburn said. "And the training staff and everybody came to me. I ain't going to lie I shed a tear because like this is where I started at. I grind here, I worked here, I started off here, I got used to being out here. I got so used to it that I didn't have to use my phone to get directions and stuff like that. So, I'm just blessed to be here." 

As much as this is a story of how players at the bottom of NFL rosters can bounce around, it's also a testament to what the Chiefs have cooking in their building. Coburn's return speaks to the level of comfort, brotherhood, and culture fostered in Kansas City under Andy Reid. Players want to be here and be a part of what's going on here, especially after getting their first taste of what it's like there and elsewhere in the NFL.