The Kansas City Chiefs are going to face some tough choices when it comes time to finalize their 53-man roster, especially at running back.
It's safe to say their run game was rough last year. The Chiefs finished 22nd in total rushing yards and a brutal 29th in yards per carry at just 4.0. That lack of production put more pressure on quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the passing game, and it showed down the stretch.
A big part of the problem was Isiah Pacheco’s early-season injury. He fractured his fibula in Week 2 and didn’t return until Week 13. And when he did, he wasn’t quite the same guy. After averaging 4.6 yards per carry in 2023, he dropped to just 3.7 in seven games last season. The offensive didn’t do him many favors, but Pacheco’s usual burst wasn’t there either.
With Pacheco sidelined, the Chiefs turned to Kareem Hunt to carry the load, who couldn’t spark the run game either, averaging a sluggish 3.6 yards per carry. It was tough sledding all around.
Now, heading into 2025, both Pacheco and Hunt are back in the fold and healthy. The Chiefs are banking on more from both of them. They also added Elijah Mitchell in free agency and drafted Brashard Smith, giving the backfield a fresh look.
That leaves fan-favorite Carson Steele in a tough spot heading into this year's training camp.
Chiefs RB Carson Steele is on Outside Looking in Before Training Camp
Steele stole hearts last year as an undrafted rookie, earning a roster spot and giving fans something to root for. He logged 56 carries for 183 yards (a rough 3.3 average) and filled a niche as a short-yardage hammer.
With Pacheco and Hunt locked in, the third spot—assuming the Chiefs keep just three backs like last year—could come down to Steele vs. Smith.
Smith, a converted wideout, brings versatility the Chiefs love. He’s quicker, more dynamic in space, and has the potential to become a legit third-down weapon out of the backfield. That kind of skill set could give him the edge.
Steele’s power game overlaps with what Hunt and Pacheco already do well. That redundancy could make him expendable. And let’s not forget, the Chiefs have kept him around while constantly searching for other answers. That might be a sign of how they view his long-term fit.
The good news is Steele’s a fighter, and even if he doesn’t crack the 53-man unit, he’s got a strong shot at sticking around on the practice squad.
But for now, he's very much on the bubble before training camp—and the pressure’s on.