The Buffalo Bills face a lot of questions this offseason, particularly on defense. There are some ideas about what to do with the line, but all of that remains speculation until general manager Brandon Beane finally begins adding pieces to the puzzle.
The Bills will no doubt be active in free agency even if a big swing isn’t in the cards. Looking for affordable pieces that will be a good fit in new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard’s defense, the Bills should do what they can to bring in New England Patriots defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga.
A Strong 2025 for Tonga
Tonga, a seventh-round draft pick in 2021 by the Chicago Bears, had been something of a journeyman coming into 2025. He spent a year with the Bears, two with the Minnesota Vikings, and one with the Arizona Cardinals before signing a one-year, $2.7 million contract with the New England Patriots last spring.
He would go on to start eight games for a Patriots team, fueled by its defense, that reached the Super Bowl. His agility and pass-rushing ability, especially with 335 pounds of force behind them, became an asset for the Patriots.
Now, his market looks much different than it did a season ago. Tonga will be sought after, and the Bills should be at the front of the line to sign the 29-year-old free agent when the new league year begins.
Why the Move Makes Sense for the Bills
The switch to a 3-4 base defense under Leonhard is the biggest reason. Aside from Deone Walker, the Bills don’t really have a true defensive tackle that fits the needs of a 3-4 defense. Tonga has more than enough size to hold up at the point of attack, plus he can add a bit of flavor in the pass rush.
Just as importantly, it frees up Walker to move around the line. Sure, he can still line up at the nose because of his massive size and athleticism. That said, Leonhard won’t be handcuffed to the move. He can slide Walker over to take advantage of matchups in order to give his defense an advantage.
The confidence Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel showed in him also speaks volumes. He can bring a sense of stability to a defense that will, at times, feel overrun with changes.
It Won’t Take a Ton to Get Him
The Bills may have their eyes on other defensive players, but their limited cap space presents obvious challenges. Bringing in a player like Tonga, who won’t have eye-popping stats but will play a key role, is also important because it is affordable.
Some projections have him signing a deal in the two-year, $8.5 million range. That would give the Bills a sure thing in their new defense without having to make a massive investment. More importantly, it will give Leonhard the chance to play with other pieces and see how they fit.
A Strong Move on Defense
There are some misconceptions that the Bills' defense could face a major regression next season because of the schematic switch. The Bills still have several impactful players, some of whom may need to replicate that level of play in a different spot.
Adding a player the caliber of Tonga will provide a degree of certainty that had been previously missing. It also frees Leonhard up to get a bit more creative and get his best players on the field.