Chiefs’ 1st-game standout becoming early fan fave — and has a pet alligator, too

Kansas City Chiefs rookie Carson Steele had a few minutes before his interview session with reporters on Monday morning — so he decided to make the most of his time.

Steele ran over to a group of fans next to the team’s practice field at Missouri Western, signing autographs and talking with those supporters, many of whom were yelling his name.

It’s been a quick climb to celebrity for the 6-foot running back/fullback out of UCLA, as Chiefs coach Andy Reid cited Steele as one of the team’s two standouts in Saturday’s preseason loss to Jacksonville.

Steele spoke about his own status after sprinting back to the media tent for his time with reporters.

“It’s awesome, just being able to come out here every day and play a sport you’ve been playing since a little kid,” Steele said. “Now you get to do it as a job.”

Steele could have staying power in this profession if future games go like his first one.

He impressed immediately on his first carry against the Jaguars, a 20-yard run where he broke three tackles. And though Steele only received four carries (for 29 yards), Pro Football Focus had him creating four missed tackles — tying for the third-highest mark of any NFL running back this preseason.

“I love to establish like a, ‘Hey, coming in, this is the first play. And we’re not here to mess around,’” Steele said. “So get in there and try to just run through everybody and go for it and then go from there.”

Steele also added the Chiefs’ only touchdown, a one-yard plunge on fourth-and-goal that had Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes celebrating with a double flex on the sideline.

“If he’s gonna make the team, he’s got to be a good special teams player, and he’s got to be able to carry the football and stay aggressive like he’s doing right now,” Reid said Monday. “But he had a productive day.”

Steele, who started his career at Ball State before transferring to UCLA his final season, also has an interesting personal backstory. He has a pet alligator named “Crocky-J,” whom he received as a Christmas present in elementary school.

Crocky-J, now between 4-5 feet and around 100 pounds, remains in a large aquarium in Steele’s parents’ home.

And while an alligator might make for an ideal dorm mate at training camp, Steele jokingly said he hadn’t pursued that in St. Joseph because “you have to have a bunch of permits and stuff; I definitely couldn’t have him out in L.A.”

Crocky-J has contributed to Steele’s nickname around many teammates, who have affectionately called him “Crocodile.” Back at UCLA, Steele’s long, blond hair also had earned him monikers like “Fabio” and “Thor.”

Steele has been earning plenty of respect thanks to his play. He’s elevated himself to second- and third-string reps during training camp practices while transitioning to play some fullback-like roles for the Chiefs.

“My main goal was trying to be like a Swiss Army knife: try to do it all type of deal,” Steele said of his role. “And wherever they need to put me in is where I can get in.”

The Chiefs will have some decisions to make at running back on the end of their roster. Isiah Pacheco is the starter, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been a previous staple since the team drafted him in 2020.

Will KC keep three running backs or four? And how does Deneric Prince fit into the mix after playing well in camp the last two weeks?

Steele understands what’s needed from him if he wants to secure a role with the Chiefs. Not only would he have to be excellent on special teams, but he’d also have to make the most of being an offensive “package” player, coming in on short-yardage situations to block, run or catch out of the backfield.

Though his debut went well, Steele said what’s most important remains ahead.

“I was excited, celebrated that night a little bit, scoring the first touchdown,” Steele said. “But after that, it was go time for the next week.”