The New England Patriots ended the Kansas City Chiefs AFC reign during 2025. But to try and get back to the top, the Chiefs are adding lineman Khyiris Tonga from the Patriots defense.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Monday afternoon the Chiefs have agreed to sign Tonga to a 3-year, $21 million contract. The deal will include $14 million guaranteed.
Tonga will be able to ink the deal officially when the new league year begins at 4 pm ET on Wednesday. Until then, representation of unrestricted free agents can agree in principle to new contracts.
Deal negotiated by @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup
Tonga started the final eight regular season games for the Patriots defensive line. In 14 games overall, he had 24 combined tackles, including two for loss. He also had two quarterback hits and two pass defenses.
Tonga spent one season with New England. Over his five-year NFL career, he’s also played for the Chicago Bears, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals.
Chiefs Sign Khyiris Tonga From Patriots: Report
Tonga only played one season in New England and didn’t record a sack. During the team’s playoff run to the Super Bowl, he also didn’t remain in the starting lineup.
However, Tonga was a starter for New England in the second half of 2025. During that time, the Patriots posted a 7-1 record.
Tonga was an underrated contributor to New England’s Super Bowl run. This March, pundits are likely to see him as an underrated loss in free agency.
Tonga posted 14 combined tackles, including one for loss, one quarterback hit and one pass defense as a starter. During the eight-game stretch, he also played 15 offensive snaps mostly as a full back.
How Patriots Replace Khyiris Tonga
Losing Tonga is disappointing for the Patriots. His signing with the Chiefs, who missed the playoffs in 2025 but won five AFC titles from 2019-24, was even more disappointing.
But the Patriots have already made an addition to their defensive line in Dre’Mont Jones. NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported Monday that New England will sign Jones to a 3-year, $39 million deal.
In 18 games, Jones posted a career-high seven sacks and 24 quarterback hits during 2025. He spent the 2025 campaign with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens.
Jones isn’t a direct replacement for Tonga. More than likely Jones will replace K’Lavon Chaisson, who was second for the Patriots with 7.5 sacks last season.
But Jones can line up at a variety of spots along the defensive line. Early in his NFL career, he was more of a defensive tackle than edge rusher.
So with Jones, the Patriots have options. They could find a more suitable replacement for Tonga in free agency or the draft. Or, New England could acquire another edge rusher, with Jones focusing more on the defensive line interior.
The Athletic’s Daniel Popper ranked Tonga the No. 80 overall free agent for the 2026 offseason. Despite the lack of pass-rushing threat, Tonga received more than what Popper predicted he would in free agency.
Popper projected his contract worth to be $15 million on a 2-year deal.
“Tonga was an under-the-radar free-agent addition for coach Mike Vrabel, and he proved to be a key piece on a Super Bowl defense,” Popper wrote. “Tonga had a career-high 17 pressures, including playoffs. He is difficult to handle in one-on-one situations. Tonga plays with power and effort. He can stack and shed in the run game.
“He can penetrate, make plays in the backfield, push the pocket and eat up space along the front. The Patriots also used him as a short-yardage blocker on offense.”
Patriots Lose Starting Defensive Lineman to Chiefs for $21 Million: Report