It might only be the official opening of the legal tampering window, but free agency has already started with a bang for the Patriots, in more ways than one. Besides signing some standout players, like EDGE Dre'Mont Jones and FB Reggie Gilliam, they have also lost a few players who played integral parts of their 2025 success, the latest being DL Khyiris Tonga.
He was one of the more under-the-radar players the team signed last offseason, yet quickly became one of their best run stoppers over the year.
Tonga contributed to the defense's streak of shutting down opposing running backs to 50 or fewer yards a game early in the year, and now he'll attempt to replicate that success in Kansas City, as he signed a 3-year deal on Monday afternoon.
Khyiris Tonga is leaving New England for a 3-year deal with Kansas City worth up to $21 million, per source. https://t.co/bo1XCU282D
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) March 9, 2026
It's a massive blow to their defensive line that they'll need to find an answer for in free agency and maybe even the NFL draft.
The Patriots lose an anchor of their 2025 defense to the Chiefs
Tonga quickly became a fan favorite once the 2025 season began, and it was clear he was an overlooked signing who went on to be a big reason for their defense's success.
Now he's going to be doing that for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, making it feel even worse that the Patriots were unable to retain him.
They now add another position of need to their list of prioritizations for free agency, and they'll need to jump on it quickly or risk losing out on some of the top players expected to test the free agent market.
Their defense was the most successful unit of the season last year, so they can't afford to let the group fall behind after making a Super Bowl appearance, and the only reason they were still in the game was their efforts.