One of the best parts of the NFL preseason is seeing unheralded players break out and make statements in games. Those blessings can also be curses, however, for roster incumbents. The Kansas City Chiefs are dealing with that double-edged sword, just like any other team.
With the preseason rolling on, the reigning AFC champions will soon have to decide on their 53-man roster. Most of the group is set in stone, but a good handful of jobs are still up for grabs. Could there be a surprise move in the backfield? That’s what one outlet is campaigning for.
In a story listing one player every team should cut, Gary Davenport of Bleacher Report named fullback Carson Steele for the Chiefs.
Analyst Says Chiefs Should Part Ways With FB Carson Steele
This would mean in just his second year with the team, Steele would be at risk of being picked up on waivers prior to Week 1. Davenport believes that trade-off is something the Chiefs will have to deal with.
“There’s no denying Carson Steele was a fan favorite as a rookie a year ago,” Davenport wrote. “When injuries hit Kansas City’s running backs last year, he actually made three starts. And therein lies the rub. Steele just wasn’t good when that opportunity arose. He averaged just 3.3 yards per carry in 2024 and put the ball on the ground three times. Neither of those numbers belie job security.
“Now, with veteran Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith joining holdovers Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt in Kansas City, Steele is no better than fifth on the depth chart at running back for the defending AFC champions. And with zero chance Kansas City enters the season with five running backs on the active roster, Steele’s best case if he wants to remain with the Chiefs is probably the practice squad.”
Indeed, Steele didn’t make the impact some were hoping for in 2024-25. With that said, a large part of that can be attributed to fan buzz during OTAs and training camp. It’s unreasonable to anticipate undrafted free agents turning into high-level contributors throughout the year. Simply making the team was a win for Steele.
Once he did that, however, he didn’t produce much. Davenport’s point is fair. Nothing Steele did on the ground signaled that he’s a reliable ballcarrier. His blocking left some to be desired. Special teams was his primary path to playing time, as he logged 32% of available reps there. In 14 snaps during the Chiefs’ preseason opener against the Arizona Cardinals, Steele had 3 carries for 15 yards. Is that enough to secure a spot on the team?
Evaluating Kansas City’s Options if Steele Doesn’t Make Roster
If not, what does the rest of the running back room look like? It’s well-known at this stage that Pacheco and Hunt are locks to make the team. Many hope Pacheco can rebound after an injury-shortened 2024 campaign. Hunt fared well filling in for him but at age 30, he’s more of a short-yardage reserve than a bell cow back or true 50-50 complement.
Mitchell is the veteran wild card of the group. He’s years removed from his last great stint with the San Francisco 49ers, as injuries have sapped him of availability. If they haven’t sapped him of too much athleticism, however, perhaps he can be a change-of-pace back. Smith stood out in a major way during camp but mustered all of 4 carries for 10 yards last weekend.
It’s important to keep in mind that Steele is more of a true fullback for Kansas City, though. Can an in-house candidate fulfill some of his duties if he wasn’t on the team? The natural place to look is the tight end room.
In the past, Noah Gray could be a de facto H-back, but his role is now too involved on offense to diversify back to that. The best comparison is likely Robert Tonyan, who enjoyed a tremendous training camp and preseason debut. He has experience inline, in the slot, out wide and even in the backfield, as well as on special teams.
Despite Steele possessing a limited skill set, it’s a tricky one to replace. Should Davenport’s call to action be realized, the Chiefs would add some intrigue to how they configure their offense.
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