Reid explains why Chiefs won't utilize this position

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Andy Reid explains why Chiefs won't use any players at this position

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 5/27/23

When you watch a Kansas City Chiefs game this season there is one position you might not see them using.

A fullback.

The Chiefs allowed last year's fullback, Michael Burton, to sign with the Denver Broncos in free agency this offseason and have not brought in anybody to replace him. That is probably the way it is going to stay according to head coach Andy Reid.

Reid explained it this week via the Kansas City Star.

“The tight ends can work into that spot,” Reid said Wednesday following his team’s OTAs practice. “We know Noah (Gray) can do all of that, and that’s kind of where we went with it. We’ve got a number of tight ends that we feel comfortable with, so maybe you keep an extra tight end as opposed to that fullback.”

Adding to Reid's point, football has shifted away from a power running game over the past 10-15 years with teams putting more of a premium on playmaking in the passing game.

They want more wide receivers and tight ends on the field to create matchup problems to make plays through the air.

But there is potentially an additional layer to it this season.

The new kickoff rule that is going to allow for teams to get position of the ball at the 25-yard line after a fair catch is also going to cut into fullbacks having an opportunity to make rosters as special teams players.

Fewer kickoff returns means less value for players that can excel in that role, and kick coverage and kick return teams were traditionally spots where fullbacks could play their way onto the roster.

All of those factors adding up has made the fullback a thing of the past.

So much so that the Chiefs, the league's best team, might not even use one at all this season.

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