ST. JOSEPH, Mo. -- When it was time for Kelly Gregg to consider signing with other teams after being cut by Baltimore, the 12-year veteran stopped looking when he heard the Kansas City Chiefs were interested.

The nose tackle was looking to go to a team in which he could be a leader, but also still have a legitimate chance to win.

“I wanted to go to an up-and-comer,” the outgoing Gregg said Tuesday. “When you think of up-and-comers, the Chiefs are the first team to roll off your lips.

“I love it here. There is so much talent here on both sides of the ball. This team is going to be really good. I’m glad to be here.”

The Chiefs coaching staff is thrilled to have Gregg. He has been a standout at camp and is a standout run stuffer. He solidifies the Chiefs’ defensive front. Kansas City was looking for a nose tackle since before the lockout, and when Gregg was a salary-cap casualty in Baltimore, the Chiefs jumped on him.

Gregg helps fill a leadership void left after linebacker Mike Vrabel retired. He has taken to the role well and his presence in the young defensive-line meeting room has been welcome, coaches say.

“I’m happy to be a leader,” Gregg said. “I had a lot of guys in Baltimore help me over the years, so now it’s my turn to help the young guys here. It’s easy because they are all good players.”