Chiefs OL Nick Allegretti looking for opportunity to be a starter as free agency approaches

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By Nick Roesch | Last updated 3/1/24

One of the unsung heroes for the Kansas City Chiefs' postseason run was offensive guard Nick Allegretti.

When starter Joe Thuney went down with a pectoral injury in the divisional round, Allegretti stepped in and did a fantastic job in his place all the way through the Super Bowl. Filling Thuney's All-Pro shoes was no easy task, but Allegretti met the challenge and exceeded expectations.

What's even more impressive is that Allegretti pushed through the pain of playing with a torn UCL in the Super Bowl, sustaining the injury during the second quarter. Now with five NFL seasons under his belt, he will test free agency for the first time in his career. Allegretti joined NFL Network's Good Morning Football on Friday and spoke about what he's looking for as a free agent.

"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

"The best thing about football for me as an offensive lineman is the option and the availability to go lead a group of men," Allegretti said. "That's one of my favorite parts about football. The best way to do that is to be a starter day one, and that's the opportunity that I'm looking for." I want to go to an organization and have an impact, but also have an impact in that locker room as a leader."

It is completely understandable that Allegretti wants to be a starter, even if that means having to leave Kansas City. He could easily be a starter for many teams, and he has the potential to be a Pro Bowler or an All-Pro. The Chiefs are deep at the guard position with Thuney and Trey Smith having the two starting spots locked down.

If Allegretti was willing to be a backup for one more year, he could take over as a starter for Thuney or Smith in 2025 as both will be set to hit free agency. However, Allegretti will likely want to strike while the iron is hot this offseason. If he does leave, the Chiefs will certainly miss his versatility and having him as an insurance policy off the bench.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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