New England Patriots insider Greg Bedard offered insight into why the team did not re-sign defensive tackle Khyris Tonga in the offseason. Bedard spoke on 98.5 The Sports Hub and broke down why the Patriots ultimately decided to let Tonga walk.
“On Khyiris Tonga, the reason why he is not [in New England], is because the Patriots would not fork over less than $500,000," Bedard said on Felger & Mazz. "A little bit less than that, like somewhere between $350,000 [and] $400,000. They would’ve kicked that in, he would’ve been here and his contract would have been probably half what he signed with the Chiefs with."
Tonga ended up signing a three-year deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency.
He was coming off a successful season as the Patriots'
top run-stuffer along the defensive front. The team showed interest in bringing him back, but the two sides could never agree on a contract extension, leading Tonga to explore the open market and find a new home with the Chiefs.
The Patriots have now shifted to Cory Durden as their top nose tackle. Durden has impressed at times in training camp, but it's hard to ignore the incredible depth the Patriots could have had at the position if they had signed Tonga to an extension when they had the chance.
Now, they'll have to move forward without him.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Real reason Patriots failed to re-sign standout DT reportedly revealed
