Hulking Ex-Vikings Lineman Gets Huge Payday
Good for you, Mr. Tonga. The veteran comes in at a massive 6’2″ and 335 pounds. He’s now being paid massive money.
The ex-Vikings lineman has secured life-changing money. He did so after playing well with the the Patriots before agreeing to a deal with the Chiefs. Check out the news that gets relayed by Mike Garofolo of The NFL Network: “The #Chiefs have agreed to terms with DT Khyiris Tonga on a three-year, $21 million deal with $14 million guaranteed.”
Massive Ex-Vikings Lineman Drains the ATM
Going to Kansas City is a good outcome for basically any football player.
Top skipper Andy Reid knows a thing or two about football (and cheeseburgers). On defense, Steve Spagnuolo is very impressive. The long-time defensive coordinator appears very likely to get a lot out of Khyiris Tonga.
Back in 2021, Tonga got into the NFL, doing so in modest fashion. The Chicago Bears picked him up as a 7th-Round talent coming out of BYU. When things didn’t work out in the Windy City, it was time to give the Twin Cities a try (after a brief, uneventful pit stop in Atlanta).
The Ed Donatell days were pretty bleak for Minnesota, but Tonga was a bright spot. He emerged as a rugged interior defender who offered sturdy play from within a group that was far too easy to move the ball on.
Transitioning to Brian Flores led to a talent exodus, but the huge DT remained for a year with “The Mad Scientist.” Rolling into 2024, the Vikings went in a different direction. The Cardinals were next in Tonga’s journey before the Patriots in 2025.
Most notable in the ’25 season, Tonga got used as a fullback. Anytime a DT gets the chance to function as a FB is a good day.
Interestingly enough, the Vikings are moving into a new day at both defensive tackle and fullback. Soon to be exiled are DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. Long-time FB C.J. Ham has opted for retirement after a great career.
Maybe Minnesota can find its own version of Khyiris Tonga in the coming days: a massive DT who can moonlight as a FB when the running game (passing game?) needs muscle.
Swirling around the Vikings is the add at corner, the miss at running back, a fast receiver journeying elsewhere, and seeing a young specialist take off. Lost in the shuffle has been the Tonga news. He has worked through a lot, so great to see him be rewarded.
