For much of the Patriots' offseason, the offense has been discussed far more than the defense, despite the long list of upgrades the team made to the roster. While it makes sense that there will be an emphasis on Drake Maye's second season, the defense isn't looking too shabby either and should probably be making more headlines.
That's especially true for a player like defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga, who didn't earn a whole lot of hype when he was initially signed. Maybe that's due to him being on three teams in the last four years, or maybe his performances have predominantly gone under the radar. But that appears to be changing thanks to his standout play at training camp so far.
The 29-year-old plays a position that often doesn't get enough credit for the work that they do for the defensive line. The pass rushers and cornerbacks get most of the glory, which makes a player like Tonga go under the radar despite how good they are as a blocker.
He has shown that off with ease through training camp and is finally starting to make a name for himself on the Patriots defense, which is filled with big-name players expected to become pillars of the defense next season.
Khyiris Tonga is making sure he's a household name by the end of Patriots training camp
Watching the defense during practice has sparked plenty of conversation, but most of the talk has surrounded the same players for various reasons.
Besides the absence of cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez, plus the rise of LB Robert Spillane and the impressive work ethic of DT Christian Barmore, Tonga is starting to get noticed by fans and the media, as he has become one of the most consistent performers on the defense.
That led MassLive's Karen Guergian to name him as one of the Patriots' biggest training camp surprises thus far, and it's all for good reason.
"He’s a mammoth defensive tackle who seems to perfectly complement Milton Williams and Christian Barmore.
Playing in the middle of the line, Tonga has been a disruptive presence both in run and pass situations. While Tonga credits Williams and Barmore for helping him be more effective, it’s more than that.
“'For me to come in and be next to Milton and Barmore makes my job so much easier,” Tonga said last week. “(Opposing teams) got to pick their choice between Barmore and Milton (to double team) and I’m good with that.'"
Excitement has built over the last few months about what the Patriots' front seven can be for the season ahead, especially with the addition of Milton Williams and the return of Barmore. Tonga can now be added to that list, along with third-year DE Keion White, and New England could have one of the best defensive groups in all of football.
Tonga has a tough task ahead of him to become one of the most decorated names on the team's defense after Mike Vrabel and Co. chose to trade starting nose tackle Davon Godchaux. He had become the most solid part of the defensive line since joining the team in 2021, and his consistency helped the Patriots despite the rest of the team underperforming.
That gives the former seventh-round pick an open door to create a role for himself on the roster moving forward, and fortunately, he's seemingly securing that through just two weeks of training camp so far.
For a signing that didn't receive a lot of hype, it's clear that Mike Vrabel and the front office saw something in Tonga that made him a good fit for what they're trying to accomplish with the defense.