While the Kansas City Chiefs are busy preparing for their second preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks on Friday, the front office and coaching staff alike are trying to find the best group for the 53-man roster.
All that matters is winning a Super Bowl, so general manager Brett Veach will leave no stone unturned in an effort to find as many diamonds in the rough as possible.
The running back position has been a hot topic throughout the summer, as Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, Elijah Mitchell, Brashard Smith, and Carson Steele are all fighting for a spot. In a surprising move on Tuesday, the Chiefs signed a new halfback to compete for a role.
Chiefs have signed former Washington RB Michael Wiley. Haven’t seen him come down the hill yet so not sure what number he’s wearing.
— Matt Derrick (@mattderrick) August 12, 2025
Chiefs also signed DE Nate Matlack (57) yesterday. That fills the roster with S Deon Bush and DE Janarius Robinson landing on IR.
Chiefs Sign RB Michael Wiley to Firmly Put Carson Steele on Notice
As reported by Chiefs insider Matt Derrick, the organization signed former Arizona running back Michael Wiley. Derrick's tweet erroneously attributed him to Washington, but he was a Wildcat. Considering how deep the position is, it's a curious decision but signifies how the franchise feels about Steele, in particular.
Smith struggled in his preseason debut, yet Steele is still on the outside looking in. He was beloved last summer with a fiery personality and fun rushing style, though it became obvious during the regular season that he wasn't long for the roster. He struggled with fumbling issues, ultimately leading to him dropping on the depth chart once Hunt was signed.
It's hard to look at this move as anything other than an indictment of Steele and perhaps even the rookie, Smith. Wiley played for five years at Arizona, rushing for 1,712 yards and 16 TDs while adding a remarkable 1,150 yards and 12 scores through the air.
This is a player who perfectly fits head coach Andy Reid's offense. It's easy to picture him being a Jerick McKinnon-type of guy, playing a third-down role, assuming he can protect well in the pass game.
Regardless, this is clearly a sign that the franchise doesn't trust Steele. He was already a likely cut candidate, but it's never been more obvious that the team intends to move on. The undrafted Ball State star was a fun story, just like Louis Rees-Zammit, but all that matters is whether or not you can produce on the field.
Wiley is an intriguing player to watch but for now, fans should expect Steele to be cut sooner rather than later.