Tonga was one of four players honored by head coach Mike Vrabel.
In their efforts to get back into playoff contention and rebuild the culture inside Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots made some major investments this offseason. They were the biggest spenders in the NFL in free agency, bringing in high-profile players such as Stefon Diggs, Milton Williams and Carlton Davis on multi-year deals.
Compared to those, Khyiris Tonga’s one-year, $2.1 million contract flew under the radar. Maybe it shouldn’t have.
Serving as the No. 3 defensive tackle alongside Williams and Christian Barmore, the 29-year-old has seen regular snaps with the starting defense so far in training camp. In addition, he recently was revealed as one of the Patriots’ four offseason award winners — the only signing to have received the honor.
For Tonga, however, it is not as special a recognition as it might sound.
“It was pretty cool. It’s an honor. But at the end of the day, we were just working,” he explained. “I think anybody could have gotten it, really. Everybody was working during camp, so it’s still the same. Nothing changes. We’re just working. So, that’s all it is.”
Tonga has been a journeyman since entering the NFL as a seventh-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021. Following his one-year stint with his original team, he spent time with three other clubs before coming to New England in March.
His first two months as a Patriot, however, have been successful. Tonga seems poised to making the roster as a rotational interior defensive linemen, and he joined wide receiver DeMario Douglas, offensive lineman Cole Strange and outside linebacker Truman Jones as the only players named offseason award winners.
“There were a lot of really good candidates,” said head coach Mike Vrabel on Wednesday. “I would say that being here for the program is a stipulation. Daily improvement, the intensity in which they work, the leadership which they showed. And the improvement — that’s the most important thing. Where they come in in April and then where they leave in June is probably a really good indicator.”
Improvement has been on Tonga’s mind ever since joining the Patriots. And even though he is now an offseason award winner, he has shown no desire to alter his approach.
“The run, the pass — I just want to be better in all aspects, whatever that looks like.”