Chiefs' Carson Steele: Early impact as rookie

Steele rushed 56 times for 183 yards and hauled in seven of his 11 targets for 26 yards in 17 games during the 2025 regular season.

Steele was immediately asked to contribute as a rookie, including a 17-carry effort against the Falcons in Week 3. However, his contributions waned as the season wore on following the addition of Kareem Hunt as a free-agent signing and the return of Isiah Pacheco from a rib injury. Hunt and Samaje Perine were on one-year deals with the Chiefs, making the pair free agents ahead of the 2025 campaign. Even so, the front office presumably will add another couple of backs to the room during the offseason via free agency or the draft. Steele likely will need to earn his way up the depth chart behind Pacheco heading into next year.