Kansas City Chiefs and soon, preseason games will begin to help Andy Reid and the front office figure out what the 53-man roster will look like for the 2025 regular season.
The running back position carries one of the biggest question marks this offseason because of all of the uncertainty surrounding the depth there. How healthy is Isiah Pacheco? Can Kareem Hunt put together another productive season as he did a year ago? What should fans expect from the other guys on the depth chart?
Carson Steele is a player that many might have assumed was safe entering the offseason but that might not be the case. Steele, a popular name amongst the fan base this time last year thanks to his pet alligator and ability to give the Chiefs another fullback on the roster, started three games for Kansas City as a rookie last year and appeared in all 17 regular-season games.
Steele managed just 56 carries for 183 yards and averaged 10.8 yards per game. Considering the injury to Pacheco, the production from Steele was a tad disappointing and while some might think his roster spot is safe, fans shouldn’t be so sure of that.
Carson Steele’s roster spot could be in jeopardy this summer
Steele’s presence on the roster a season ago could help him stick around, but ultimately, it all comes down to how the rest of the running backs do this summer. Pacheco is the only running back who is certain to make the roster, yet Hunt feels like his spot is safe as well. That leaves maybe two more spots for Steele and the rest of the running backs fighting for a place on the final roster.
Two other running backs that could edge Steele out for a roster spot are Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith. Mitchell had a sensational year with the San Francisco 49ers in 2021, but he has struggled to stay healthy and produce since then. He hasn’t played a regular-season snap since 2023, which is working against him.
As for Smith, the seventh-round rookie out of SMU rushed for over 1,300 yards and found the end zone 17 times in the 2024 college football season. The question with him isn’t about talent but if he’s ready to take that leap from the NCAA to the pros.
Steele became a fan favorite this time last year but he’s going to really have to step it up this summer if he wants to stick around and play for Andy Reid in 2025.
