Carson Steele wants to be the ‘Swiss army knife’ of the Chiefs’ offense

For the Kansas city Chiefs, the highlight of Saturday's 26-13 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars in their preseason opener changed into undrafted rookie operating returned Carson Steele introducing himself to the NFL in bully-like fashion.

Steele's first skilled raise featured two broken tackles and gained 20 yards. He then ended the power with a fourth-and-1 handoff for a touchdown. It changed into an emphatic debut for a participant who become listed as a fullback on the Chiefs' first unofficial depth chart.

probably the most massive part of those highlights is that Steele changed into the single again in the formation. midway throughout the 2d quarter, he changed into the fourth working back to take the field. He ended up leading the crew in rushing makes an attempt and yards — and scored the crew's most effective landing of the night.

After Monday's practising camp apply, Chiefs' head coach Andy Reid used Steele's performance to remind individuals that he may also be positive at multiple position.

"You noticed what he changed into as a working lower back," Reid advised newshounds at Missouri Western State college in St. Joseph. "He's researching the fullback spot as essential. We used Noah [Gray] there remaining 12 months, who can still do that."

So besides the fact that his jersey quantity is forty two, Steele isn't former Chiefs' fullback Anthony Sherman. he's a extra dynamic ball service than the crew's former No. forty two, as a result of he has been a real operating returned for his complete career. learning to play fullback is only a method for Steele to demonstrate he can provide extra cost.

"That become my main purpose coming into camp," he advised reporters on Monday. "trying to be like a Swiss army knife — [to] are attempting to do it all. anyplace they should put me in, i will get in."

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At 6 ft 1 and 228 kilos, Steele become one of the heaviest operating backs in the draft class. He remembered that right through his pre-draft conferences with groups, it became a "50-50 toss-up" on whether they wanted him to play operating again or fullback — notwithstanding he had on no account performed the place in faculty. At Ball State in 2022, he rushed for 1,556 yards and 14 touchdowns over 12 video games. those aren't aren't the sorts of numbers fullbacks accumulate.

however at the subsequent level — the place groups can only have 53 players on their rosters — the rookie is embracing this new chance for an easy reason: it may well help him make the team.

"Being that greater returned for third-and-1 or third-and-2," he referred to, "i was more of the fashion of a fullback with out being a real fullback. It sort of stuck to me — and it has definitely helped me get through this camp."

After going undrafted, Steele signed with Kansas city — and changed into immediately given a direction he could follow to make the roster.

"speaking with the coaches as I obtained picked up," he recalled, "that became a issue we pointed out: coming in on applications third-and-1 or third-and-2; being an even bigger guy and blocking off — principally catching out of the backfield."

throughout training camp practices, the Chiefs have labored on formations that contain six offensive linemen and three gamers in three-factor stances behind quarterback Patrick Mahomes: operating again Isiah Pacheco, tight end Noah gray, and Steele.

In confined appears, Steele has been a lead blocker — but that kit may additionally give exciting the right way to get him the ball on a handoff or a short throw. Saturday's video game provided evidence that he could also increase Kansas city's means to transform brief-yardage situations. He finishes forward — as a result of that's the category of runner he's always been.

"growing up, north and south become my massive factor," talked about Steele. "Straight up and down — being an older-style working back that tries to push through every thing."

Of path, the Kansas city offensive performs through which Steele might be worried are likely to be few and far between. That's why he needs to be more than a fullback.

"If he's going to make the team, he has to be a good special teams player," cautioned Reid. "He has to be in a position to elevate the soccer and live aggressive like he's doing at the moment."

while there are nevertheless two preseason games that coaches will use to make depth chart decisions, Steele has already made a big mark. he's listed at fullback as a result of he wants to show his versatility — however there's no longer lots stopping him from incomes running back snaps with the primary crew.

The crew is hunting for someone to step up at the back of starting operating back Isiah Pacheco. Steele has a chance to do it in an unexpected method.