Chiefs Rookie Could Make Pro Bowl Due to Loophole
By Cem Yolbulan
As we approach the end of the NFL regular season, the fan voting for the Pro Bowl has started. Celebrating the best players in football each season, the Pro Bowl is set to take place in Orlando for the second consecutive year, the Sunday before the Super Bowl.
Pro Bowl selections are determined through the votes of fans, players, and coaches, each counting as one-third of the consensus vote. On Monday, the NFL released the first return of the fan vote and the results will be surprising for Chiefs fans.
Fan favorites and superstars Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones were not among the top vote-getters in the conference. Lamar Jackson, TE Brock Bowers, and DT Quinnen Williams led their respective positions in the AFC.
Even more surprising, however, was the inclusion of Chiefs rookie Carson Steele among the lead vote-getters. Steele led the AFC fullbacks in votes, making him a frontrunner to earn Pro Bowl honors.
Chiefs News: Carson Steele Could Make the Pro Bowl
As Chiefs reporter Charles Goldman pointed out, this is surprising considering the fact that only 13% of Steele's snaps came at fullback.
Steele has underwhelmed in his limited role in Kansas City in his first year in the NFL, struggling with fumbles early in the season. After fumbling three times in his first five games, Steele saw his roles reduced. Against the Raiders in Week 13, he saw only three offensive snaps and didn't have any touches.
The Chiefs still value their undrafted playmaker as they kept him around despite the depth in their backfield. However, Steele's 3.3 yards per carry and 182 total yards from scrimmage in 53 touches leave plenty to be desired. That is why it would be a hilarious outcome if he ends up making the Pro Bowl as a fullback.