The countdown is on: just 57 days until the Kansas City Chiefs open their season against the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football.” But for us in the Emerald City, that jersey number 57 holds a different kind of story, one with a familiar name: Tyreke Smith. This defensive end, a 2022 fifth-round pick of our very own Seattle Seahawks, found his way to the Chiefs’ practice squad last year after being cut in the preseason. He clawed his way onto the active roster for their final two games. That’s the kind of fight you love to see, even if it’s not in green and blue anymore.
Tyreke Smith’s Battle For The Sunday Roster
Imagine the grit it takes. Drafted by Seattle, then cut, then grinding on a practice squad. Smith’s journey to get those two active roster games is pure hustle, a testament to what these guys go through. While we’re usually focused on what our Seahawks are cooking up at Lumen Field, seeing one of our former draft picks still in the NFL fight, battling to earn the right to wear that jersey on Sundays, is something you just gotta respect. He’s carrying the torch of that number into the new season, trying to prove he belongs.
The Legacy of #57 and a Chiefs Run Game Conundrum
Tyreke Smith isn’t just wearing any number either. That #57 for the Chiefs has some history behind it. Orlando Brown Jr., a left tackle, wore it from 2021-2022 and proved a key factor in their offense getting back to elite form in 2022. He stabilized that offensive line right after the nightmare performance they had in Super Bowl LV, playing a big part in a championship. Before him, Mike Maslowski, a linebacker and special teams dynamo, rocked #57 from 1999-2003. This guy came up through Division III, Arena Football, and NFL Europe, earning the team’s Mack Lee Hill Rookie of the Year in 1999. In 2002, he even set their single-season tackle record with 162 in his only year as a full-season starter! He had knee issues that eventually ended his career after 2003, but what a journey.
Shifting gears to their offensive strategy, the Chiefs’ run game last season showed some puzzling trends. Kareem Hunt, for instance, had a 57% success rate on rushing attempts, which was sixth among qualified NFL running backs. That sounds good, right? It means a lot of positive plays, especially on short-yardage downs. But here’s the kicker: it gave them a high floor, but a very, very low ceiling. When it came to explosive run rates, their backs were way down the list. Isiah Pacheco clocked in at a measly 0.8% (47th out of 49 RBs) and Kareem Hunt was only slightly better at 1.2% (46th). So while a strong offensive line can get that initial push, it’s on the running backs to bust through and make more happen in the second and third levels. That’s a huge question mark for them as the season approaches.
So, as we wait for the Chiefs’ season-opener against the Broncos in 57 days, keep an eye on Tyreke Smith and that #57. He’s fighting to make his mark, carrying on a legacy of hard-nosed players, while the Chiefs try to figure out how to add some explosion to their ground attack. It’s going to be interesting to watch how these early trends play out when the real action starts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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