Nick Allegretti Comments on Free Agency, Possibility of Returning to KC Chiefs

Kansas City's veteran guard was a big-time role player this past season, but could he be set for something greater this offseason?

The Kansas City Chiefs have plenty to sort out with the NFL's legal tampering period and free agency quickly approaching. Of course, the high-profile contract situations with defensive tackle Chris Jones and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed take priority. With that said, some unsung heroes are also deserving of new deals.

Backup interior offensive lineman Nick Allegretti is one of them. He isn't hoping to be regarded as a reserve for much longer, though.

Catching up with the Good Morning Football crew this week, the 27-year-old spoke about his free agency process. The Chiefs still appear to be in play for a return scenario, but Allegretti is looking for a starting job. 

"We're figuring that out as we go," Allegretti said. "I'm obviously allowed to talk with the Chiefs right now, and then the tampering window's coming up. It'll be interesting. It'll be a tough couple of weeks trying to make that decision because obviously, I love Kansas City, but I'm definitely looking for a place to go start [and] make my name as a full-time starter. The best thing about football, for me, as an offensive lineman is the option and the availability to go lead a group of men. That's one of my favorite parts about football, and the best way to do that is to be a starter day one. That's the opportunity I'm looking for — I want to go to an organization and have an impact as a player but have an impact in that locker room as a leader."

"The best thing about football for me as an offensive lineman is the option and availability to go lead a group of men... the best way to do that is to be a starter day 1 and that's the opportunity that I'm looking for."@Gretti_53 speaks on free agency pic.twitter.com/hDq2cfvdkF

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 1, 2024

If Allegretti does end up getting a starting job, he's certainly earned it. The former seventh-round pick has displayed versatility along the offensive line during his career in Kansas City, coming into the league as a center but transitioning into a premier backup at guard. That progress was evident during the Chiefs' playoff run, as he stepped in for All-Pro Joe Thuney at left guard and the offensive line continued playing well anyway. Allegretti is in the prime of his career, is consistent, has championship experience and shouldn't cost a ton on the open market. That's appealing to prospective teams.

Then again, Allegretti had a chance to test free agency an offseason ago. He wound up back in Kansas City on a cheap one-year deal. Perhaps he's slated to secure that multiyear deal this time around, but it remains to be seen. If competitive offers feature a possible starting role, there's reason to assume he'd field that over another year stuck in the second tier of the Chiefs' depth chart. 

Should Allegretti depart, the team would be losing one of its key non-starters. Another team may want to make him a contributor along their starting five, though, which is hard to disagree with given the last season-plus. 

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