Khyiris Tonga: Everything you need to know

Tonga agreed to a three-year, $21 million contract with the Chiefs on Monday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports. Tonga parlayed his solid 2025 season with New England into a nice payday from Kansas City, as his new contract includes $14 million in guaranteed money. The deal can be made official at the start of the new league year Wednesday. Prior to making eight starts along the interior of the defensive line for the Patriots in the 2025 regular season, Tonga made seven regular-season starts across four previous seasons split between the Bears, Vikings and Cardinals.

Tonga played in 14 regular-season games (eight starts) in 2025, registering 24 tackles and two defensed passes. Tonga's eight regular-season starts and 336 defensive snaps were the most in his five-year career. He missed four games late in the campaign (including the wild-card win over the Chargers) but played in the Patriots' final three postseason contests and posted seven stops, including 1.0 sacks, over that span. Tonga was playing on a one-year contract and is slated to be a free agent.

Tonga (foot) was a full participant in Thursday's practice. A foot injury prevented Tonga from playing in the Patriots' last three games, including their wild-card round win over the Chargers this past Sunday. With a full practice under his belt, the fifth-year defensive tackle is on track to be available for Sunday's AFC divisional-round clash against the Texans. Tonga posted 24 tackles (nine solo) and two pass defenses across 14 regular-season games.