PHILADELPHIA - Carson Steele knows exactly what kind of player he needs to be in Sean Mannion’s offense: the one who can show up anywhere.
The Eagles’ personnel packages can shift quickly, with a fullback, extra tight ends or motion that changes the picture for a defense in an instant. That kind of moving target is right in Steele’s wheelhouse, and he’s leaning into it.
“Usually here they have the fullback stay in the running back room, but honestly wherever they need is where I’m gonna be,” Steele said. “I always tell myself it’s kind of like being a Swiss Army Knife, just doing anything, special teams, fullback, running back, wherever they need me.”
That flexibility is part of what makes Steele useful in Mannion’s projected scheme, which is built to disguise familiar concepts with different looks and force defenses to sort things out earlier than they want to. Steele’s ability to work as both a running back and a fullback gives the offense another option without giving up toughness or dependability.
For Steele, the job isn’t just about lining up in different spots. It’s also about doing the dirty work that keeps the offense on schedule, and pass protection has become a major area of progress.
“Early in my career, that was a thing I sort of struggled with, but learned from guys, from the Chiefs, now to the Eagles, and kind of watching reps over and over and over has really helped me focus on not overjumping when they’re making moves, knocking hands down, stuff like that, so I feel that’s really helped me excel in that,” Steele explained.
That kind of steadiness matters in an offense that can use shifting personnel to create protection edges or set up play-action. Steele said he expects his physical style to become even more obvious once the pads come on.
“One hundred percent. I’m a big weight room type guy, love that stuff, so I feel this is when I can show myself when the pads come on and we actually get physical contact.”
He also entered camp with some catching up to do after hamstring soreness limited him in spring. Steele used the summer to get ready and says he’s back healthy and eager to make the most of the preseason.
That matters for a player trying to carve out a place on a new roster. The Eagles are set to visit Baltimore for their preseason opener on Aug. 15, and Steele sees those games as a real chance to make his case.
“Treat it like any other game. This is kind of where I can show my talents,” said Steele.
“... Coming into a new team, you really have to showcase your talents and express yourself going into these preseason games.”
He added that the mental side has been just as important as the physical work.
“That’s where the mental side of the game comes in for me,” he said. “… It’s really kind of helped me to stay in the iPad, walkthroughs. Just the little stuff - even when you’re not getting as many reps - has helped me.”
Steele is also learning inside what he described as one of the best running back rooms he’s ever been around, with Saquon Barkley serving as both teammate and mentor.
“I don’t want to make him sound old, but I’ve been watching him for a long time now. It’s amazing to see it every day… now being him as your mentor, being in a room, learning from him has really helped me.”
Even so, Steele remains a longshot to land on the initial 53-man roster. Incumbent Cam Latu brings even more versatility, with the ability to play tight end, fullback and contribute on special teams.
Still, Mannion will want the option to use 21 personnel from time to time, whether that comes through pony looks with Barkley and Tank Bigsby or through a more traditional fullback setup. Steele’s preseason challenge is simple: prove that his ability to move between spots helps the Eagles dress up their plays and keep defenses guessing.
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