Chiefs Sign Veteran DT Khyiris Tonga to 3-Year, $21M Deal

The move bolsters Kansas City's defensive line as they look to return to the playoffs.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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The Kansas City Chiefs have agreed to terms with veteran defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga on a three-year, $21 million contract with $14 million guaranteed. Tonga, who played 337 snaps for the Tennessee Titans last season, will join the Chiefs' defensive line and help provide more pass-rushing presence after the team struggled to put pressure on quarterbacks in 2022.

Why it matters

The Chiefs' defense struggled at times last season, and adding a veteran presence like Tonga should help shore up the interior of the defensive line and free up star defensive tackle Chris Jones to make more plays. This move is part of the team's efforts to retool the roster and return to the playoffs after missing out in 2022 for the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era.

The details

Tonga, 26, had a 67.2 overall Pro Football Focus grade last season, ranking 38th out of 134 eligible defensive linemen. While he wasn't as strong against the run (54.6 grade, 66th), his pass-rushing ability (74.3 grade, 18th) should help the Chiefs' defense generate more pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

  • The Chiefs agreed to terms with Tonga on March 9, 2026.

The players

Khyiris Tonga

A 26-year-old defensive tackle who played the last two seasons with the Tennessee Titans.

Chris Jones

The Chiefs' star defensive tackle who will look to benefit from Tonga's presence on the interior of the defensive line.

Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs' star quarterback who is recovering from a major injury and will be looking to lead the team back to the playoffs in 2023.

Brett Veach

The Chiefs' general manager who is working to retool the roster and put the team in position to return to the Super Bowl.

Steve Spagnuolo

The Chiefs' defensive coordinator who will be tasked with getting the defense back to an elite level after a down year in 2022.

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What they’re saying

“The Chiefs have agreed to terms with DT Khyiris Tonga on a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed.”

— Mike Garafolo, NFL Network insider (X)

What’s next

The Chiefs will look to continue adding pieces to their defense in free agency and the upcoming NFL Draft as they aim to return to the playoffs and contend for a Super Bowl title in 2023.

The takeaway

This move by the Chiefs demonstrates their commitment to improving their defense and providing more support for star quarterback Patrick Mahomes as he recovers from injury. Tonga's addition should help bolster the interior of the defensive line and provide more pass-rushing presence, which was an area of concern for the team in 2022.