Carson Steele was the feel-good story of the 2024 Chiefs’ preseason. This year, he’s the forgotten one.

Last year at this time, Steele was busy making waves on his way to shocking everyone by making the Chiefs’ initial 53-man roster out of training camp, An undrafted rookie out of UCLA (and formerly Ball State), Steele forced his way into the conversation with a rugged playing style, a work ethic loved by his coaches, and notable production that could not be ignored.

One year later, Steele finds himself back on the roster bubble and buried in a sea of new faces in the backfield.

Steele came into the 2024 preseason as a longshot to make the roster and surprisingly emerged as one of just four running back to make the Chiefs’ active roster for Week 1 when the dust settled. However, even with 201 snaps in 17 games, Steele didn’t move the meter much when called upon in the ground game with a scant 3.3 yards/carry average and zero scores, proving he wasn’t even really a factor near the goal line.

Carson Steele is going to have to turn heads again in Chiefs training camp.

Steele’s lack of memorable in-season production last season wouldn’t feel so ominous if the Chiefs hadn’t reshaped the room in the meantime.

This offseason, general manager Brett Veach added SMU running back Brashard Smith in the seventh round of the NFL Draft out of SMU as a promising pass-catching option. Before that came the signing of Elijah Mitchell, a former 49ers starter who could be a dynamic factor if healthy. On top of that, Kansas City re-signed Kareem Hunt after he led the team in rushing last year. Of course, Isiah Pacheco is back and healthy, ready to reclaim his status as the team’s most productive back.

That equals five backs in the competitive mix, and if the Chiefs stick with the same plan as last year—only carrying four RBs into the season—someone’s getting squeezed out. For now, that puts Steele potentially on the outside looking in.

The good news? Steele’s been here before, and he’s no stranger to the uphill climb. He shocked everyone last year, which means he can do it again. He’s also more in the fullback mold than anyone else and that might entice Andy Reid enough to keep him around, assuming Steele is doing everything else right. Steele’s special teams experience also helps.

Like every position, the competition will take care of the sorting when the Chiefs head to St. Joseph for another grueling training camp. Once again, Steele will look to turn heads in the preseason with the hopes of making a stronger impact when it truly counts.