Former Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier is officially in line to start for the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. Allgeier, a former fifth-round pick out of BYU, spent his first four seasons in Atlanta before signing a two-year contract with the Cardinals in free agency.
While it initially appeared that Allgeier would start for Arizona, things changed once the team selected Notre Dame standout Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
However, the team listed Allgeier as its top running back for Sunday's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. It may not last for very long, but Allgeier will at least have the chance to show what he can do in a featured role.
On the Cardinals’ unofficial depth chart ahead of Sunday’s
regular-season opener vs. the Chargers, Tyler Allgeier is listed as RB1 and rookie Jeremiyah Love is listed as RB2. pic.twitter.com/XqTskse0uk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 8, 2026
The Falcons selected Allgeier in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, which would quickly prove to be a steal for Atlanta. Allgeier topped 1,000 rushing yards as a rookie, despite opening the season as a healthy scratch.
The former BYU standout lost his job to top-10 pick Bijan Robinson in 2023. Nonetheless, Allgeier and Robinson formed one of the NFL's best running back duos for a three-year stretch.
Allgeier rushed for 2,876 yards and 18 touchdowns over his four seasons in Atlanta. The 26-year-old's bowling-ball running style makes him a great tone-setter on offense.
Hopefully, Allgeier will get a fair shake in Arizona and not immediately lose his job to another top-10 pick.
This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Former Falcons RB to start for Arizona Cardinals in Week 1
