The Kansas City Chiefs are making waves early in free agency, signing a veteran defensive tackle to a million-dollar deal. The move is designed to bolster the interior line and take some pressure off superstar Chris Jones, giving the Chiefs a stronger presence against the run and more depth to rotate on passing downs.
Khyiris Tonga Turns Patriots Standout Season Into $21M Chiefs Deal
Journeyman defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga turned a standout season with the New England Patriots into a lucrative contract with the Chiefs. Tonga spent the first four seasons of his NFL career trying to find where he fit, only to move on after a short stint.
The defensive tackle out of BYU was drafted in the 7th round of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. Tonga played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2022 and 2023 before going to the Arizona Cardinals for the 2024 campaign.
A one-year, $2.1-million deal with the Patriots for the 2025 season seemed like just another stopping point in a carousel of NFL teams, but this time Tonga made an impact beyond expectations. He set career highs in pass rush snap rate (52%) and pressuring the quarterback (17 pressures), to go along with starting eight games, which was also a personal record.
Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported on Monday via X that Tonga used the 2025 season as a springboard to a well-deserved big payday.
“The #Chiefs have agreed to terms with DT Khyiris Tonga on a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed, his agents @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup tell The Insiders,” Garafolo posted following the start of the legal tampering period on Monday.
The #Chiefs have agreed to terms with DT Khyiris Tonga on a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed, his agents @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup tell The Insiders. pic.twitter.com/nzYvhOUhrB
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) March 9, 2026
Going from a one-year, $2.1-million deal to one that is worth $21 million ($14 million guaranteed represents a significant amount of faith in the defensive tackle. The Chiefs ended its 2025 campaign by missing the playoffs for the first time in Patrick Mahomes’ career, so a major shift was needed.
Tonga will join star pass rusher Chris Jones in the Chiefs’ defensive trenches, and while he had middle-of-the-road expectations throughout his career, now is the time for him to prove that he is worth the money.
Tonga is a dawg
— Chris Jones (@StoneColdJones) March 9, 2026
In fact, Jones himself responded to the move that brought Tonga to the Chiefs with a simple post: “Tonga is a dawg.”
One aspect of Tonga’s game that isn’t discussed enough is that he has played fullback during his time with the Patriots. He didn’t suddenly turn into a Pro Bowl blocker or anything of the sort, but a defensive tackle playing 14 snaps at fullback for an NFL team isn’t something that went unnoticed to Andy Reid.
In 2016, Reid had a memorable moment when he drew up a trick play designed to get the ball to defensive tackle Dontari Poe. The now-famous “Hungry Pig Right” to Poe is proof that if Reid sees an aspect of your game he can use, expect it to come out at some point. What will Reid put together when he sees what Tonga can do on a daily basis?
