Former BYU stars Tyler Allgeier and Khyiris Tonga find new teams in NFL Free Agency
Mar 9, 2026, 12:34 PM | Updated: 9:35 pm
Former BYU football star Tyler Allgeier is on the move in NFL Free Agency. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
A pair of former BYU football stars were active during the NFL Free Agency frenzy that opened on Monday.
Those former stars are running back Tyler Allgeier and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.
NFL Free Agency: Tyler Allgeier to the Arizona Cardinals
After four years with the Atlanta Falcons, the franchise that drafted him, Allgeier is reportedly heading back west to play for the Arizona Cardinals.
Cardinals signing RB Tyler Allgeier to a two-year, $12.25M deal. (via @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/NiM8BMPekI
— NFL (@NFL) March 9, 2026
Tonga is reportedly signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, coached by BYU alum Andy Reid.
The reported Allegier deal with the Arizona Cardinals is worth $12 million over two years, according to multiple reports.
Allgeier will join a Cardinals backfield that also includes James Conner.
The BYU single-season rushing leader rushed for a career-low 514 yards last season in Atlanta, but he had a career-high eight touchdowns last season.
Through his four years in the NFL, Allgeier has rushed for 2,876 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Khyiris Tonga to the Kansas City Chiefs
Khyiris Tonga’s reported deal is worth $21 million over three years with $14 million guaranteed. ESPN’s Peter Schrager noted during the Pat McAfee Show that Aura Sports Group negotiated the deal.
DT Khyiris Tonga to Chiefs, per sources. Negotiated by Aura Sports – David Canter and Ness Mugrabi. @ESPNNFL @PatMcAfeeShow pic.twitter.com/yMUMU17qMz
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) March 9, 2026
The Chiefs will be Tonga’s fifth different NFL team as he enters his sixth season in the league.
Most recently, Tonga played along the defensive front for the New England Patriots, who won the AFC and reached Super Bowl LX.
Tonga started in a career-high eight games last season for the Patriots. The former BYU and Granger High standout has previously played for the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, and the Patriots.
Free agency signings can be made official by NFL franchises on Wednesday, March 11, at 2 p.m. (MT), when the new league year opens.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for sports.ksl.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.
Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYUathletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.
