The Kansas City Chiefs begin their OTAs on Tuesday as the first round of their three-round offseason workout schedule. Following that, the mandatory minicamp is scheduled to start on June 17. At that point, Chiefs fans will have a better idea of how the roster will shake out before the season. After the training camp starts in late July, the Chiefs will determine their final 53-man roster that will begin their pursuit of a third Super Bowl in four years.
While the Chiefs decided to bring back most of their key contributors from a season ago, not every player's roster spot is guaranteed for next season. Plenty of Chiefs are currently on the roster bubble, and a good portion of them will be cut over the summer.
Carson Steele a Likely Cut Candidate Before the Chiefs Season
One of those players who are serious cut candidates is fan favorite and talented playmaker Carson Steele. The 22-year-old back benefited from being listed as a fullback as a rookie and played a significant role, especially early in the season. Mainly used as a run blocker and short-yardage runner, Steele showed intriguing flashes at times but made costly mistakes at others.
Steele doesn't have dominant physical and athletic tools, and struggled with fumbles in his first season in the NFL. The Chiefs signed Elijah Mitchell in free agency and selected Brashard Smith in the 2025 NFL Draft. Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt are returning, leaving Steele all the way down in the pecking order.
Can Steele impress throughout the OTAs and minicamp and win himself more time? While that is certainly possible, it shouldn't be considered probable. The young playmaker is a popular figure among Chiefs fans, but it's hard to see him cracking the 53-man roster when push comes to shove. He is a clear-cut candidate until further notice.