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Chiefs Make Defensive Tackle Decision After Chris Jones Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Chris Phelps | Last updated Mar 9, 2026 2:30 PM ET

Chris Jones and the Kansas City Chiefs had a rough 2025 NFL season. After starting the year with a 6-5 record and sitting in the hunt for a playoff spot, the Chiefs lost their final six games, along with quarterback Patrick Mahomes to a torn ACL, missing the postseason for the first time in Jones' 10-year NFL career.

Still, Jones put together another solid season in 2025, recording 29 tackles, seven sacks and two passes defended in 17 games played. But following the season, Kansas City elected to restructure the defensive tackle's five-year, $58.75 million contract, creating roughly $22.5 million in cap space. And the Chiefs were quick to sign another defensive lineman with most of the money they saved.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (95) celebrates after a play during the third quarter against the Houston Texans.Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Khyiris Tonga, after spending his college career with the BYU Cougars, was selected by the Chicago Bears with the No. 250 pick in the seventh round of the 2021 NFL Draft. But the defensive tackle's tenure in Chicago was short-lived, being waived ahead of the 2022 NFL season.

Since then, Tonga has bounced around the NFL over the last four years, including brief stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. He also spent the 2025 season with the New England Patriots, helping them secure a spot in Super Bowl LX. Through five seasons, Tonga has tallied 113 tackles, 0.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in 67 total games.

But after the 2025 season, Tonga saw his one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Patriots come to an end, becoming an unrestricted free agent. And on Monday, it was announced that Tonga is signing a three-year, $21 million deal with the Chiefs, joining Jones on Kansas City's defensive line.

"Former Patriots DL Khyiris Tonga is signing with the Chiefs on a three-year, $21 million deal that includes $14M guaranteed, sources tell The Insiders," NFL Network's Tom Pelissero wrote on X. "Deal negotiated by @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup."

Former Patriots DL Khyiris Tonga is signing with the Chiefs on a three-year, $21 million deal that includes $14M guaranteed, sources tell The Insiders

Deal negotiated by @davidcanter and @NessMugrabi of @aurasportsgroup pic.twitter.com/9hMUaRVJDc
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2026