New England Patriots Sign Former BYU DT Khyiris Tonga To One-Year Deal
Mar 10, 2025, 3:40 PM
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 06: Khyiris Tonga #95 of the Arizona Cardinals warms up prior to a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 06, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Former BYU defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga has signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.
The one-year deal is worth $2.7 million.
The #Patriots are signing #AZCardinals DT Khyiris Tonga on a 1-year, $2.7M deal negotiated by @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2025
In 2024, Tonga played in 13 games for the Cardinals and posted 22 total tackles (six solo) and three stuffs. Arizona had a rough year and finished outside of the playoffs with an 8-9 record.
Now, for the first time in his career, Tonga will play in the AFC. He joins a New England team that was even worse off in 2024, finishing with a 4-13 record.
The Patriots had a bottom-10 rush defense last year and the acquisition of Tonga makes it clear that is an area of focus in Foxborough.
Tonga is now the only player with local ties in New England after the Patriots released former BYU LB Sione Takitaki last month.
RELATED: Patriots Release Sione Takitaki After One Season
About Khyiris Tonga
Before his time at BYU, Tonga was a standout player for Granger High School. He was rated as a two-star player in the class of 2017 by 247Sports.
Tonga signed with BYU in early 2017 and stayed with the Cougars through 2020. During his collegiate career, he recorded 130 total tackles, 69 solo tackles, 7.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, five quarterback hits and 12 pass breakups.
Khyiris Tonga just invented the nose tackle blitz. You might want to block that guy #ouch #BYU #BYUFootball pic.twitter.com/n6pWSzzEOL
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JeremiahJensen) September 27, 2020
The Chicago Bears selected Tonga with the No. 250 overall pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
He played his rookie season with the Bears before he was waived and picked up by the Vikings. Tonga played in 25 games with the Vikings over two seasons before packing up and heading to Arizona in 2024.
During his four seasons in the league, Tonga has recorded 89 total tackles, 37 solo tackles, 0.5 sacks, one fumble recovery, and four pass breakups in 53 games played.
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