New England Patriots nose tackle Khyiris Tonga is rooting for his head coach, Mike Vrabel, who famously played both sides of the ball.
The 335-pound Tonga saw an increase in offensive snaps in Week 10 as a blocking back and helped open several running lanes, including TreVeyon Henderson’s 69-yard touchdown, where the big man sealed the edge and picked off several Buccaneers players.
Asked about Tonga’s two-way ability, Vrabel pointed out that the 29-year-old effectively plays in all three units.
“This is a three-zone guy,” Vrabel said, via Doug Keyd of the Boston Herald . “Helped us win defensively, helped us win offensively and then goes out there and gets in the way of three guys in the defensive department.”
The Patriots used Tonga on eight snaps in Week 10, six more than he had previously played in his entire career. According to Next Generation Stats, all eight of his snaps were designed runs that went for 75 yards total — including Henderson’s 69-yarder (side note: A game with him on the field must be coming!). Tonga also played 26 defensive snaps and generated two pressures on 17 pass rushes. He played four special forces films.
Tonga played tight end in high school at 280 pounds — hopefully some Prime Video producers spent the week digging it up before Thursday night’s showcase against the New York Jets.
“It’s impressive … how quickly he moves out of his position,” Vrabel said. “He’s been able to get outside the quarterback. Sometimes the quarterbacks are a little slower, they’re out of phase with the runner and the runners run up on their heels.”
Honestly, Tonga deserved some attention even before he hit the wall on Henderson’s TD run. The nomadic nose seems to have found a home in New England. Tonga was a seventh-round pick by Chicago in 2021 and spent one year with the Bears, two in Minnesota and last year in Arizona before landing with the Pats. Tonga has helped stabilize the middle of the Pats defense as a spin defender, eats blockers, can push the pocket and frees others for stunts.
The offense put the spotlight on the big man, but his improved play in Year 5 has been emblematic of an entire Patriots team that gets the best out of its players. That’s a credit to the coaching staff — one that can see the benefits of a 335-pound team in the backfield.