ST. JOSEPH, MO.— Carson Steele was taken aback when he heard the cheers from a sizable contingent of Kansas City Chiefs supporters during Monday’s training camp session. As the screams became louder, Steele’s smile grew larger and larger.
“CAR-SON! CAR-SON! CAR-SON!”
Steele did something that few golfers would do while waiting to speak with reporters in a golf cart: he got up and sprinted about 50 yards to greet the spectators, setting off a crescendo that was heard when he got there. For several minutes, Steele autographed hats, balls, and placards. He also snapped a couple photographs with admirers.When the undrafted rookie fullback had an impressive debut in the Chiefs’ preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night, a large number of them became fans of Steele.
“It’s awesome,” Steele said. “It’s really a true blessing. My phone was blowing up a little bit (Saturday night). Everybody was so excited for me and I celebrated that night a little bit.”
Steele emerged victorious among the players vying for a last roster slot with the Chiefs, in front of a small gathering of family and friends.
The 6-foot, 230-pound Steele, who played most of his snaps as a bigger-than-usual running back, led the Chiefs with 29 rushing yards on four distinct carries. Steele made an amazing first touch. He broke three tackles and gained 20 yards on the ground in the second quarter, a play that was reminiscent of former six-time Pro Bowler Mike Alstott.
“I saw a little bit and then didn’t, so I decided to put my head down and go,” Steele said. “I love to establish (a physicality, saying), ‘Hey, we’re not here to mess around.’ I try to get in there and run through everybody and go for it.”
We have to think Carson Steele qualifies as a preseason #AngryRuns alert 🚨 @kylebrandt
— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2024
📺: #KCvsJAX on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1gIOEjHfYq
The way Steele ended his run was one of the play’s funnier moments. Steele pursued contact relentlessly after reaching the perimeter and dodging CB Erick Hallett II’s tackling attempt. At one point, he nearly trucked Chiefs receiver Justyn Ross, who was obstructing Jaguars defender Tre Flowers. Once they were back in the huddle, Ross took a jab at Steele.
Steele grinned and continued, “I kind of pushed him out of the way to keep on going.” “But I do not mind because he was blocking and kicking butt for us.”
Steele gained yards each time he made contact with the ball. One such play, a 5-yard gain, saw him break a tackle close to the line of scrimmage.
“You saw what he was as a running back and he’s learning the fullback spot, as needed,” coach Andy Reid said. “If he’s going to make the team, he’s got to be a good special teams player and he’s got to be able to carry the ball and stay aggressive like he’s doing right now. He had a productive day.”
Reid is a traditionalist who believes that having a versatile fullback is important, which is another reason why Steele has a good chance of making the opening roster. For the first time in Reid’s 11 seasons in Kansas City, the Chiefs did not have a fullback in the previous campaign; tight end Noah Gray filled in on occasion. Steele gained five pounds prior to camp in order to have a more fullback frame.
Carson Steele powers his way in for the score!
📺: #KCvsJAX on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/32aWEpeSjI— NFL (@NFL) August 11, 2024
Prior to joining the Chiefs, Steele, 21, had never played fullback in high school or college. Nevertheless, prior to the draft, NFL scouts were drawn to his tough running style. Steele is the best running back available in the transfer portal with 1,556 rushing yards and 15 total touchdowns in 12 games as a sophomore at Ball State in 2022. After joining UCLA last season, he quickly became a star in the offense under Chip Kelly, the former head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, leading the Bruins with 847 yards and eight touchdowns.
Before every game while he was a child in the Indianapolis region, Steele would watch highlights of Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson.
“Even though we have different styles, I’d love watching him on YouTube,” Steele said. He later added of his own game: “Growing up, north and south was my big thing, straight up and down and being an older-styled running back trying to push through everything.”
Steele was ranked as the 31st-best running back in this year’s draft class by Dane Brugler of The Athletic.
“Steele won’t wow with his ability to create with speed or lateral quickness, but he runs with vision and urgency and has pass-catching value,” Brugler wrote in “The Beast.” “His chances of earning an NFL roster spot likely will hinge on his development in pass protection and special teams coverage.”
Steele decided to join with the Chiefs when his draft pick went unclaimed, citing Reid’s track record of success with fullbacks such Leonard Weaver, Anthony Sherman, Michael Burton, and Jon Ritchie. The prospect of playing in the Chiefs’ backfield in short yardage scenarios with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and running back Isiah Pacheco thrilled Steele.
After the Chiefs’ 16-play drive against the Jaguars in the second quarter, Reid had the ideal opportunity to assess Steele in a short-yardage scenario: fourth-and-goal from the Jaguars’ 1-yard line. When Steele crossed the boundary line for the rushing touchdown, he was greeted with congratulations from a number of teammates, including Mahomes and Pacheco.
His first NFL TD. Celebrate it, rook!#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/3gefEMuKfX
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) August 11, 2024
Steele’s alligator-loving companion, Crocodile, is the nickname his teammates have already given him.
“I got him in second or third grade as a Christmas present,” Steele said. “He’s probably around four or five feet. I named him Crocky-J when I was younger because I thought it sounded a little better. He’s probably 100 pounds. He’s in a big aquarium back home” in Greenwood, Ind.
Against the Jaguars, Steele did not block for another ball carrier, but he did assist right tackle Lucas Niang on a completion by quarterback Chris Oladokun with a great chip block. The Chiefs’ home exhibition game against the Detroit Lions on Saturday will serve as Steele’s next test to see how well he can block for Pacheco and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
“I’m excited … to keep pushing through and learning how to be able to block out the backfield,” Steele said. “It really helps my game to be able to do everything.”
Injury update
• After missing Saturday’s game due to injuries, linebacker Nick Bolton (left elbow) and receiver Kadarius Toney (back) returned to the practice fields. Security During his first camp, Justin Reid (quad) was a limited participant.
• According to Andy Reid, wide receiver Marquise Brown is back in Kansas City after sustaining a sternoclavicular dislocation on the opening snap of the game, necessitating no surgery on Saturday night. Brown might miss the Chiefs’ season opener on September 5. Four to six weeks are usually enough time for a full recovery.
• During the game on Saturday, rookie guard McKade Mettauer, who was not selected, suffered an MCL tear in his left knee. Reid stated that Mettauer will not require surgery.
• Not playing were Edwards-Helaire (sickness), defensive end Charles Omenihu (recovering from a ruptured right ACL), offensive tackle Wanya Morris (bruised right knee), safety Bryan Cook (excused for personal reasons), receiver Jaaron Hayek (shoulder), and defensive tackle Chris Jones (shoulder).
(Photo: Corey Perrine / Florida Times-Union)
