Why opponents can’t sleep on KC Chiefs’ signing of defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- New KC Chiefs defensive lineman Khyris Walker can play in NFL offense as lead blocker, too
- Signed as free agent by KC, Tonga honed skills in unique role with New England Patriots.
- Fellow Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones approves of the addition of hulking Tonga.
The headline from Chiefs general manager Brett Veach’s NFL Scouting Combine news conference was his declaration that wants a more explosive Kansas City running game in 2026.
Veach backed up that sentiment from last month when the NFL’s negotiating window opened on Monday: The Chiefs GM struck a deal with the top running back on the free-agent market, former Seattle Seahawks star and reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III.
A case could be made that, after addressing running back, the Chiefs’ greatest need is in the secondary. That need developed following the departures of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams. Or maybe it’s wide receiver, with Rashee Rice’s status chronically in question and Hollywood Brown on the market.
But the Chiefs’ next signing wasn’t a cornerback, safety or receiver. Instead, Kansas City came to terms with former New England Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga — reflecting Veach’s comment, in the same scouting combine news conference, that interior defensive linemen are hard to come by.
Chris Jones apparently approves of the addition. The Chiefs defensive star logged on to X to share four words.
“Tonga is a dawg,” Jones wrote.
After a season that saw the Chiefs bring back familiar faces like Derrick Nnadi and Mike Pennel, Veach attacked the position with a player — Tonga — who projects to fit swimmingly with what coordinator Steve Spagnuolo wants in the middle of his defensive line.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 335 pounds, Tonga is one of the largest interior defenders in the NFL.
The 29-year-old nose tackle is considered a space-eater, and he anchored the Patriots’ front in 2025 to the tune of 15 run stops, according to PFF. That would have tied Jones (15), with the next Kansas City interior defender logging eight (Nnadi).
An early-down and short-yardage run-stuffer, Tonga logged about 33% of New England’s defensive snaps last season, and he projects to fit right into Kansas City’s rotation on early downs.
A fun wrinkle? Tonga also showed some upside last season on offense as a situational fullback, logging 14 snaps as a lead blocker for the Patriots. That included a snap on a 69-yard touchdown run.
The last time the Chiefs had a true fullback was the 2022 season, when they rostered Michael Burton. Since then, players such as Noah Gray and Carson Steele have taken on those responsibilities.
That’s not to say it’s reasonable to expect that Tonga will be lining up at fullback on first-and-10 at KC’s own 30.
Think short-yardage. Think goal line. Think Dontari Poe.
The signing of Walker may signal more than just a personnel change; it could hint at a scheme shift, with head coach Andy Reid leaning more under center than RPO. On third-and-1 at the goal line, an opposing team may sense a run is coming.
Good luck stopping the 220-pound Walker behind the 335-pound Tonga — even when you know it’s coming.
Day one of free agency showed change is coming in Kansas City. But it’s more than just setting the tone in the run, which Tonga will occasionally help with.
Beefing up a defensive line that needed it looks to be priority No. 2.
This story was originally published March 10, 2026 at 3:03 PM with the headline "Why opponents can’t sleep on KC Chiefs’ signing of defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga."
