Nick Allegretti has been a great story for KC Chiefs

When it comes to the Kansas City Chiefs offensive line, the majority of stories told focus on what is missing. That’s understandable given the tremendous losses suffered by the team along the offensive front. But in the wake of those absences is also a few emerging stories of what has flourished given the opportunity, and left guard Nick Allegretti is one such player.

For nearly an entire season, Allegretti has been a significant contributor up front after being thrust into a starting role just over a month after the season began.

Back in Week 5, the Chiefs lost starter Kelechi Osemele to torn tendons in both knees on a non-contact play that took him out for the rest of the year. In his place, the team brought in Mike Remmers (who has also been a revelation) to play left guard for the rest of the game. The following week, Mitchell Schwartz was forced to exit the team’s win over the Buffalo Bills early with back pain. Remmers was switched to the right side, and Allegretti was sent in. He’s never relented his hold on the position ever since.

Super Bowl LV will be Allegretti’s 12th consecutive start for the Chiefs at left guard. Coming into the season, he was a second-year role player fighting for a chance to show what he can do. It’s a testament to the player, the front office, and the coaching staff all working together to make sure he was ready—and Allegretti certainly came through on his part.

Nick Allegretti has been a great story for the Chiefs in 2020.

The Chiefs initially drafted Allegretti at the top of the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft with a pick they received in a trade for wide receiver Rod Streater. As a longtime starter from the University of Illinois, Chiefs scout Terry Delp raved about Allegretti after the draft and explained why he was excited by the addition. “I don’t usually get excited watching linemen, cause he just gets after people. He will throw people around. He’s got a nasty edge. He’s strong. Really patient under control. Smart player. He’s fun to watch and he’s an offensive lineman.”

While he played a lot at center as well, Delp did mention that his “best tape” was at guard, and the Chiefs are seeing that first-hand as the season goes on. While the team experimented at center by alternating Austin Reiter and Daniel Kilgore for a spell, they’ve done no such thing at left guard. Even after Martinas Rankin was healthy, Allegretti remained in place. The same can be said even after signing veteran Stefen Wisniewski, a man who started in that very spot last postseason.

The fact that Allegretti has displayed such a firm hold on his starting spot is a testament to his talent and hard work. One more solid start will make championship dreams come true and give the Chiefs more security at the spot heading into the future.