NFL News: Andy Reid suggests the Chiefs have discovered a new weapon for Patrick Mahomes

The 3-0 record does not fully reflect the challenges Kansas City Chiefs had to be overcome at the beginning of 2024 NFL Season. If anything, it speaks volumes about the winning culture Andy Reid And Patrick Mahomes built at Arrowhead.

The Chiefs had to beat the likes of the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons in consecutive weeks be at this point. They also had to do without key players due to injuries.

After the Chiefs lost Hollywood Brown at the start of the 2024 NFL season due to a preseason sternoclavicular joint dislocation placed Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve due to a broken fibula in week 2.

Reid, however, seems optimistic about Pacheco's replacement. Rookie defenseman Carson Steele took over the running back position on Sunday evening, and his performance seemed to impress the coach. When Reid spoke to the press this week, he suggested that Steele could prove to be a valuable asset for Mahomes.

Carson Steele #42 of the Kansas City Chiefs passes the ball in the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 22, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“For his first game, I thought he did a really good job. He still has a few things to sort out when it comes to protection, but he'll take care of that“,” Reid said of Steele, via Arrowhead pride. “In the running game, he hit the right holes and worked daylight. He finished runs. We fixed the attempt to elbow guys while he went through with his carry hand and cleaned that up from the week before. He gives you an honest punch and goes hard. He's a big kid. He will come towards you.”

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Steele agrees with Reid's sentiments about the Chiefs' first start

After going undrafted this year, Steele found himself with none other than the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. Despite all odds, the UCLA product eventually made the 53-man roster. And Pacheco's injury allows him to play an even bigger role.

On Sunday, Steele was the preferred player for Mahomes in the running game, leading the Chiefs in carries (17) and rushing yards (72) in a 22:17 win over the Falcons. After the game, the 21-year-old admitted that he had felt the increased workload.

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“Yeah, (I was) a little beat up,Steele said, although he clarified: “I'm not going to lie, but college kind of prepared me for thiswith those 28 to 30 carries games. So I’m just taking care of my body – I’m really getting some treatment and I’m ready for next week.”

Steele knows he still has a lot of work to do, but he is aware that his first start has been quite positive: “We went back and looked at the tape and saw a few things we can fix – stuff like that. Mistakes will always happen in a game. But overall we were driving the ball down the field and all the running backs were turning inside. Perine and I set off. So we’re really excited and we just have to keep going and learn from it.”

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While Pacheco is on injured reserve, Steele is It is expected to continue to be a key weapon for Mahomes in the running game. However, the RB room is now also relying on Kareem Huntwho returned to Kansas City after five seasons in Cleveland.