Kansas City Chiefs defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga spoke with reporters on Saturday. He opened up about the challenges of living up to the team's high standards at an intense training camp as the team heads into the 2026 season.
"It's an amazing feeling just to be in the league and to be on a team," said Tonga. "It's hard to just be in here, so the fact that I get to find a place and be here in Kansas City, it means the world to me, so very excited, family very excited. So, definitely blessed."
Kansas City signed Tonga to a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed during the offseason. The veteran explained the team's focused mindset during tough practices.
"Yeah, from day one, there was a mindset that we needed to control, and
that was from as soon as we came in. Coach (Andy) Reid set it up for us," said Tonga. "This is probably the hardest camp that we had to go through- just everything that was leading up to it because of last year, and there's a standard that needs to be played at, and Coach is always reminding us and just getting back to that standard of what Kansas City's used to."
Last season, for the New England Patriots, Tonga started 8 of his 14 games and recorded 24 tackles.
This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Chiefs DL Khyiris Tonga opens up about challenges at training camp
