The New England Patriots overturned much of their roster ahead of the 2025 season, and it paid major dividends. The team went from 4-13 to 14-3 in a single offseason, only to be taken down in the Super Bowl by the Seattle Seahawks.
A major piece of their success, aside from Drake Maye, was their defense.
The Patriots’ defense was transformed last season, with players like Milton Williams, Harold Landry, and Robert Spillane making massive impacts in the front seven. The team also added Carlton Davis and Craig Woodson to the secondary. While the team retained nine of its eleven defensive starters from last season, a key rotational piece left: Khyiris Tonga.
Tonga, a veteran nose tackle the Bears originally selected out of BYU, played a major role in the Patriots’ run defense, which ranked sixth in the league. Along with Williams, Christian Barmore, and Cory Durden, Tonga helped form a fearsome foursome to spearhead the defense.
Tonga also saw action as a fullback, clearing the way for TreVeyon Henderson’s second long touchdown run against the Buccaneers in Week 10. Although the team reportedly negotiated with him ahead of the playoffs, they couldn't reach an agreement, and Tonga left in free agency to sign with the Chiefs.
The Patriots’ defensive line is missing a true nose tackle
The Patriots’ defensive line remains one of its best units. Williams and Barmore are among the league’s best interior duos, and Durden is also expected to step into a bigger role this season.
Leonard Taylor, who had an impact in the playoffs with a blocked field goal against Denver in the AFC Championship Game, had a strong preseason. He's also expected to make an impact.
Josh Farmer, a fourth-round selection in 2025, is the last man on the roster, while Eric Gregory and Jeremiah Pharms provide strong depth on the practice squad. Despite the team’s talent and depth, they’re missing a true nose tackle.
The team isn’t small at the position: all the players mentioned exceed 300 pounds. Nonetheless, the team doesn’t have a true space-eating force in the middle. Durden has been asked to do that so far, but sitting at around 300 pounds, he’s somewhat slight for the role.
The Patriots may have made a grave mistake by letting Khyiris Tonga leave
In Week 1, Tonga’s Chiefs held the Broncos to 54 yards on 11 carries. The ex-Patriot saw 22 defensive snaps and made one tackle. Offensively, he saw four snaps at fullback, including operating as the lead blocker on Kenneth Walker’s 60-yard touchdown that began the third quarter.
The Seahawks’ rushing attack was effective on Wednesday, as rookie Jadarian Price averaged 5.2 yards per carry on 10 attempts. In somewhat puzzling fashion, George Holland received 8 carries and averaged just 3.6 yards per carry.
Should Price have been given more opportunities, hitting the century mark was a real possibility.
While Reggie Gilliam is among the league’s best fullbacks, Tonga could have been an effective addition to the offense: Rhamondre Stevenson and Corey Kiner combined for just 62 yards from 24 carries: just 2.6 yards per attempt.
The Patriots' springing a long run for a touchdown could have been the difference between a win and la oss, and Tonga could have helped to supply the blocking for that score, much like he did with Henderson and Walker.
Time will tell, but the Patriots could have made a grave mistake letting Tonga leave in free agency.
Add us as a preferred source on Google