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21 Days to Camp: What to do with Carson Steele?

The best story last season was the rise of Carson Steele. He and his pet alligator, Crocky-J, captivated the Chiefs’ nation. After an impressive preseason, he secured a spot on the 53-man roster. However, it’s uncertain if this Cinderella story will continue into 2025.

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When the Kansas City Chiefs signed undrafted free agent running back Carson Steele, the former UCLA standout was a popular choice to make the roster. Throughout training camp and the preseason, he impressed coaches and teammates. So much so, he was an early favorite to make the team.

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Now, his 2024 stats might not impress you, and once Kareem Hunt joined Kansas City, his playing time dropped significantly. Now with two new running backs on the roster, free agent Elijah Mitchell and seventh-round pick Brashard Smith.

With Isiah Pacheco and Hunt back to full health, it’ll be tough for Steele to make the roster. Still, having a powerful fullback on the team isn’t a bad thing.

Now, it’s not a lock that one of the running backs ahead of him either gets injured or doesn’t grasp the offense; Steele can slip onto the roster.

Still, he has potential, and we’ll see how he has improved as a runner, pass catcher, and blocker when camp opens this month.

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Looking at his numbers at UCLA, it’s easy to see he could be a reliable backup in the Chiefs’ offense. He demonstrated surprising speed last August in a couple of preseason games, and he made some crucial third-down runs in the regular season to keep drives alive.

I’m not sure what Andy Reid will do with his backs this season, but last season, injuries heavily impacted the position. Therefore, having a player who was part of this offense last season is likely an advantage.

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When Pacheco got injured in Week Two, Hunt stepped off the bench, and Steele saw his carries increase. However, once Hunt had time to adjust, he proved that he still has big-play ability in Week Four against the Los Angeles Chargers.

The timing was ideal for Hunt because, on the first offensive drive of the game, Steele fumbled the ball, and the Chiefs lost possession. After that, Hunt became the primary back, making a statement with his return to Kansas City.

Heading into camp, it looks like Pacheco is in great shape, and Mitchell, who hasn’t taken a significant snap since 2023, will probably compete for a roster spot. I’m not sure if both are guaranteed spots on the roster.

Brashard Smith, the SMU seventh-round pick, is widely regarded as the sleeper of the entire 2025 draft. While Josh Simmons often receives the most attention in that category, many NFL experts agree that Smith has that Jamaal Charles vibe.

If Mitchell and Pacheco are competing for one spot, Steele might still make the 53-man roster. 

I’ve always believed that the best underdog stories involve guys on the roster bubble, and it’s almost impossible not to root for Steele and his pet alligator. However, that doesn’t mean we’ll see him in a Chiefs uniform this season.

However, if he does very little in camp, the Chiefs can probably place him on the Practice Squad where he can wait for his opportunity.

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