The New England Patriots undoubtedly improved their roster this offseason, especially their biggest problem areas like left guard, wide receiver, and edge defender. They did, however, absorb a couple of painful departures, with nose tackle Khyiris Tonga right at the top of that list.
It’s now been months since Tonga signed a new free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, but the Patriots' side of the equation remains puzzling. New England essentially got priced out by the Chiefs’ offer of $14 million in guaranteed money over three seasons.
The Patriots have some big financial decisions looming with Christian Gonzalez becoming extension eligible this year, and quarterback Drake Maye on deck in 2027. Tonga’s new money seemed reasonable enough for a solid starter who doubled as a battering ram on offense as a fullback, but the best justification for passing at that number might be the player poised to replace Tonga this season.
That would be Cory Durden, a journeyman former undrafted free agent whose role is set to explode in 2026. He told reporters at OTAs this past week that he’ll enter training camp as the Patriots' starting nose tackle.
“Just taking that next step,” Durden said of his personal goals, “whether that’s making the Pro Bowl or whatever it is. I feel like the sky’s the limit now.”
The Patriots quietly made their feelings about Cory Durden clear this offseason
Durden came off as a confident veteran player at the podium, and a lot of that probably comes from the faith his team just showed in him.
Despite losing Tonga, the Patriots’ biggest moves along the defensive interior have been rookie free agents. New England also opted against adding major competition for Durden in the 2026 NFL Draft, focusing more on the offensive line and edge groups.
To say Durden came out of nowhere in 2025 would be an understatement. He had played 128 total defensive snaps in his career in previous stops with the Rams and Giants. He played a whopping 514 snaps for the Patriots, per Pro Football Focus, seeing a clear uptick in playing time from Week 10 on.
He flashed some pass rushing upside late in the year, with his best game coming against Justin Herbert and the Chargers in the wild-card round of the AFC playoffs. He’s also entering the final season of a two-year, $2.175 million contract, so he should be plenty motivated to have a breakout season and get paid in 2027.
The Patriots are betting big on Durden being this year’s Tonga, and if they hit, it could end up being one of their most underrated decisions of this 2026 offseason.
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