The Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Chicago Bears, 34-21, in the preseason finale on Thursday night, but despite the result, the game served as another opportunity to prepare for the 2024 campaign.
"We had some good snaps in there," said Head Coach Andy Reid. "The best part was that we were able to get all the guys [fighting for roster spots] in there to have an opportunity to play and put it on tape. [Now], [General Manager] Brett [Veach] can evaluate [them] tomorrow and for the next couple days."
Indeed, 32 players didn't take the field on Thursday for Kansas City, providing those battling for a roster spot with an extended chance to show what they could do. A player who didn't waste that opportunity was rookie tailback Carson Steele, an undrafted free agent signee from UCLA who rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown on just four carries.
Steele picked up 31 of those yards on an electric, tackle-breaking run midway through the second quarter. The former Ball State and UCLA star appeared to finish the rush with a diving touchdown, but while an ensuing video review ruled him just shy of the goal line, Steele made sure to punch in a 1-yard score on the Chiefs' next snap.
The performance wrapped up a strong preseason for Steele, who certainly put his best foot forward in his attempt to make the Chiefs' regular-season roster.
"We'll evaluate him. He looked good tonight, [and he's] a physical kid," Reid said. "I know the guys were excited when he was carrying it, but we'll see. He's a good football player though. It didn't really look like they wanted to tackle him. That's a plus if you're a running back."
Steele's touchdown pulled the Chiefs within a field goal of Chicago, but the Bears went on to score 24 unanswered points that essentially put the game away. The Chiefs continued to fight, however, as quarterback Ian Book found wide receiver Cornell Powell for a 7-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Book then had the Chiefs back in the end zone two possessions later when he connected with rookie tight end Baylor Cupp for a 10-yard score.
Cupp's touchdown was proceeded by a tremendous, leaping reception by wide receiver Montrell Washington that covered 49 yards. Washington joined wide receiver Kadarius Toney (2 catches for 26 yards), wide receiver Justyn Ross (2 catches for 16 yards), Powell (2 catches for 16 yards) and Cupp (1 catch for 10 yards) as members of the Chiefs with double-digit receiving yards on Thursday night.
Defensively, safety Tyree Gillespie forced a fumble midway through the fourth quarter that rookie cornerback Kamal Hadden proceeded to scoop up and return deep into Bears' territory. It was one of two takeaways for Kansas City on the night, as the Chiefs also recovered a muffed punt early in the second quarter.
In terms of injuries, offensive lineman Wanya Morris left Thursday's game early with a knee injury. Fortunately, Coach Reid reported after the game that Morris' injury wasn't serious.
Next up, the Chiefs' front office will need to trim the roster (which currently sits at 91 players) down to 53 players by Tuesday as Kansas City takes aim at the regular-season opener on September 5.
