A case for Carson Steele to make the Chiefs' final 53
The fan favorite has a strong case to make the roster. And not necessarily just as a fullback.
One of the most interesting subplots of the Chiefs’ offseason is the fact that almost no one is talking about the running back room.
Perhaps this is a function of the position (RB has become significantly more devalued over the last decade), or the team (when you have Mahomes and Kelce and have invested in WR’s, that’s going to draw attention). Or maybe it’s a function of the fact that Isiah Pacheco is a quality starting RB who has gotten better every season, and people don’t realize just how often the 2nd RB tends to play. Whatever the reason, with presumptive #2 RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire missing time as he takes care of his mental health (a sign of good priorities from him, for what that’s worth), it’s been interesting how little angst we’ve seen among Chiefs fans.
Again, perhaps that’s because of the reasons we just discussed. Or perhaps it’s because Carson Steele exists and did this the first time Chiefs fans saw him.
Combine a run like that (and powering into the end zone on a goal line dive) with Steele looking like a hulked-up version of Tim Riggins from Friday Night Lights and having a terrific fullback personality, and you’ve got this year’s preseason darling for Chiefs fans. And I, like a the rest of you, love a good “undrafted rookie makes the final roster” story. So I’m rooting for him.
But what exists beyond the hype? Every year sees a camp/preseason favorite that doesn’t make the final cut. And given the fact that the Chiefs didn’t carry a fullback last year (for the first time, to be fair), there’s at least some question as to whether or not there will be a spot on the roster if Reid decides to keep an extra WR again this year (or decides to go 4 tight ends deep, a definite possibility). The basic idea is that the FB was a sacrifice to roster setup last season, and there’s a chance it happens again this year.
Of course, given the Chiefs’ current lack of depth at the RB position (if we assume Clyde is on the roster and good to go for the year, 2nd-year RB Deneric Prince is hardly a lock), even if Reid doesn’t keep a FB this season there may be a roster spot for the grabbing. So the question becomes twofold:
First, has Steele done enough to convince Reid (and Dave Toub) that it’s a good idea to revive the FB position in Kansas City? If so, then Steele is in (and that’s a possibility to be sure, maybe even a strong one). But even if the answer is no to that, is there a chance Steele has shown enough in a specific role to make the roster as a RB? Again, given the current makeup of the roster, nothing is set in stone there.
And so I thought it would make sense to talk about what Steele has done this preseason and in training camp that would make me at least consider the possibility that he’ll beat the odds and become part of the final 53. I want to go beyond that singular run and look into what Steele needs to be able to do to hang on given the roles available… and whether he’s already done it.
Let’s do my old friend Ryan Tracy proud and talk about Carson Steele!