On Monday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Patriots agreed to terms with former Cardinals defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga to a one-year deal worth $2.7 million.
At 6-foot-4 and 338 pounds, Tonga is built in the mold of Patriots legend Vince Wilfork - a big man in the middle of the defense.
In signing with New England, this will mark the 28-year-old’s fourth team heading into his fifth season in the NFL. He played his rookie season with the Bears in 2021, spent two seasons with the Vikings in 2022 and 2023, and this past season with Arizona.
Shortly after news broke, Chad Graff of The Athletic posted a screenshot on X.com about Tonga, showing that the BYU-product has actually been a better pass rusher than run stopper despite what would be typical of a player at his size and in his role.
Tonga joins a growing list of players the Patriots have signed to bolster their defense since the “legal tampering” window opened on Monday at noon:
- Eagles DT Milton Williams - four years, $104 million
- Lions CB Carlton Davis - three years, $60 million
- Titans edge rusher Harold Landry - three years, $43.5 million
- Raiders LB Robert Spillane - three years, $37 million
Going by the numbers, it’s a side of the ball that needs bolstering after a regression in 2024, as they ranked 22nd in overall defense, 22nd in scoring defense, 23rd in rushing defense, 25th in red zone defense, and 26th in third down defense.
Tonga immediately fills the void left behind by defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, who was reportedly traded to New Orleans on Monday for a 2026 seventh-round pick.
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