Former Kansas City Chiefs who could return in 2019
By Matt Conner
Jeff Allen, OL
Pros for a Return: Jeff Allen re-signed with the Chiefs in the middle of last season when injuries took their toll on the interior. Mitch Morse was down for weeks with a concussion and Jordan Devey was also lost for the season. The same is now true of the Chiefs with Morse and Devey lost as free agents to the Buffalo Bills and Oakland Raiders, respectively.
The Chiefs are hoping Tejan Koroma and Jimmy Murray can turn into versatile backups for the offensive line, but Allen is a ready-made veteran replacement who can step right in, when necessary. It might mean waiting until training camp for the Chiefs to see if they want to move forward with developmental youth or a steadier hand, but Allen could certainly do the job if asked.
Cons for a Return: The Chiefs have done a remarkable job developing young linemen in the past few years. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif went from sixth round pick to long-term starting guard. Cam Erving went from reclamation project to starting left guard. Andrew Wylie bounced from one training camp roster to another before earning the team’s Rookie of the Year award last year.
If the coaches are this adept at coaching up the talent they are given, then the Chiefs shouldn’t have any problem trusting their staff to do so again with the younger talent on the roster. That could mean a veteran like Allen simply has no room on the roster.