PATRIOTS NEWS Mark Daniels - Tonga and Patriots have failed in contract talks.

[DaBruinz]

He is thinking about 1 thing: $$$. I don't blame him at all.

You don't agree to the money and then, at the 23rd hour go in and ask for more unless you've grossly exceeded expectations since the point that the money was agreed upon. Tonga did not grossly exceed expectations in the few weeks going into the play-offs. In fact, he was injured in the 2 games prior to the play-offs and the 1st game of the play-offs.

This idea that Tonga's value ROSE because of the play-offs is BS at best. He had 4 stops, 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 1 hurry on 78 snaps. Anyone who thinks that's not replaceable is smoking cheap stuff.

 

[Steve102]

Younger, better, cheaper.

Dominos keep falling.

 

[Ross12]

Younger, better, cheaper.

Dominos keep falling.

They had several dudes in the rotation who really did not look bad at all who will play for much less. Durden, Leonard Williams, etc. They seem to have an eye for DTs.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

If thats the case let him test free agency and see if you want to match what hes getting. Think hes great but No need to overpay here.

 

[Steve102]

They had several dudes in the rotation who really did not look bad at all who will play for much less. Durden, Leonard Williams, etc. They seem to have an eye for DTs.

I like the player. I get that this is deal. There's going to be more roster turnover. They cannot simply run it back.

 

[Gumby]

I get what everyone says about replaceable (by performance-stats)

But here is what ain’t NECESSARILY so replaceable:


6-2 and 335

Barmore is next closest at 20 lbs less: 315. everyone else much less.
I still think we need a heavy NT type, even if he is only a part timer on snaps.
They don’t grow on trees, so where is his replacement? …. What does draft look like for big-wide-ugly-heavies?

 

[Zuma]

I get what everyone says about replaceable (by performance-stats)

But here is what ain’t NECESSARILY so replaceable:


6-2 and 335

Barmore is next closest at 20 lbs less: 315. everyone else much less.
I still think we need a heavy NT type, even if he is only a part timer on snaps.
They don’t grow on trees, so where is his replacement? …. What does draft look like for big-wide-ugly-heavies?

Not sure if they are any good but here is a list as of 2-21-26 ago...

Top Nose Tackles 2026 NFL Draft

 

[n1997y]

I liked him but not for big money.

What is “big money”?

All we know is that he is asking for more than they offered. Nothing about how much more. Nor how much was offered.

Did the team lowball him? Is he asking way too much? Could be either.

 

[n1997y]

I don't get Tonga's thinking on this. He had a deal in place, but went back to the team for more money right before the play-offs?

Tonga played in his most defensive snaps of his career at 337. But the reality is that Williams was more of a weapon against the run than he was. He's a nice piece to have, but he's certainly replaceable.

Did he go back for more money before the playoffs?

Or did they not close the deal before the playoffs, then he felt his value went up during the playoffs and then he went back asking for more?

Do we know why they didn’t close the deal before the playoffs? Did the team dig in and play hardball at the last minute and have it backfire on them?

 

[n1997y]

If thats the case let him test free agency and see if you want to match what hes getting. Think hes great but No need to overpay here.

Agree. In cases like this it’s best to not burn bridges, tell them to test the market and ask for the opportunity to match whatever offer they get.

 

[Love The Drake]

Since playoff performance is impacting market value, Campbell should owe the Pats money.

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I don’t mind him trying to max his final contract.

I also don’t think he’s worth much more than they paid him last year.

Both can be true.

Jackson out of Fl State is who I keep taking in mid round mocks.

 

[mgteich]

So, everyone seems to agree that Tonga is asking for too much.

Also, no one knows what Tonga is asking for.

 

[TommyD4207]

So, everyone seems to agree that Tonga is asking for too much.

Also, no one knows what Tonga is asking for.

It's simple. The Patriots likely offered something relatively fair, or else there wouldn't have been a "deal in place".
Tonga wants more. People don't think he's worth more than a fair contract commensurate to his age and ability (he's not).

If he's not careful, he's going to **** around and find that deal no longer in place that he turned down.

 

[BTTA]

I guess I am not quite understanding. He almost signed an extension before the playoffs but it fell through, then he had a somewhat middling playoff run, and now the price has somehow gone UP? If anything, the price should have come down... It's not like he lit the world on fire in the postseason. The defense played well, but it wasn't because of him.

Probably less emotion, more "last contract" rational thinking, and perhaps some interest shown by other teams during that time.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I like Thonga, but let's be honest. This is the type of player you can replace in the 5th round of the draft. I've been eyeing NT types in the draft.
Would like to keep him, but he's not a priority, it is what is it.

 

[imahobgoblin]

You don't agree to the money and then, at the 23rd hour go in and ask for more unless you've grossly exceeded expectations since the point that the money was agreed upon. Tonga did not grossly exceed expectations in the few weeks going into the play-offs. In fact, he was injured in the 2 games prior to the play-offs and the 1st game of the play-offs.

This idea that Tonga's value ROSE because of the play-offs is BS at best. He had 4 stops, 1 sack, 1 QB hit and 1 hurry on 78 snaps. Anyone who thinks that's not replaceable is smoking cheap stuff.

I agree that his value did not rise, but he thinks it did because he made it to the SB. The Pats put the right value on him, and he thinks he is worth more. Good for him. Go and test it. Nothing wrong with finding out and maybe he finds some fool who will pay him. It happens all the time. No one ever said he is not replaceable. Why are you saying this to me?

 

[mgteich]

It's simple. The Patriots likely offered something relatively fair, or else there wouldn't have been a "deal in place".
Tonga wants more. People don't think he's worth more than a fair contract commensurate to his age and ability (he's not).

If he's not careful, he's going to **** around and find that deal no longer in place that he turned down.

I think that it is very possible that the team will approach alternatives during the 3 days before the season starts and possibly consider signing a deal with someone else. Maybe they will offer Tonga the deal they previously offered, or not. Maybe they won't even give his agent a call other than to wish him and client the best.
==
I do not think that this is so low a priority that the team will simply wait a few weeks to see if Tonga becomes more reasonable.
If the team can get a veteran NT at a reasonable price, they will likely sign him if Tonga isn't available at an acceptable price. Of course, I could see the team making a call a day before the season starts.
==========
My bottom line is that Tonga is an injured starter, who has been passed in the depth chart by Durden in 2025, with Farmer hopefully an adequate backup. Tonga was likely offered what the team thought he was worth at the time. If the team has to spend a lot of effort to assess others, the value of any offer is certainly unknown.

 

[n1997y]

I think that it is very possible that the team will approach alternatives during the 3 days before the season starts and possibly consider signing a deal with someone else. Maybe they will offer Tonga the deal they previously offered, or not. Maybe they won't even give his agent a call other than to wish him and client the best.
=

That’s sending a very positive message to all the other players on the roster, and all the free agents they might be trying to sign, isn’t it?

I do not think that this is so low a priority that the team will simply wait a few weeks to see if Tonga becomes more reasonable.
If the team can get a veteran NT at a reasonable price, they will likely sign him if Tonga isn't available at an acceptable price. Of course, I could see the team making a call a day before the season starts.
==========

They also risk discovering that no other FA NT can be signed for the deal Tonga was asking for. They could end up losing Tonga and signing nobody to replace him. That might not be the end of the world, but how does it play with getting younger, better, and cheaper?

My bottom line is that Tonga is an injured starter, who has been passed in the depth chart by Durden in 2025, with Farmer hopefully an adequate backup. Tonga was likely offered what the team thought he was worth at the time. If the team has to spend a lot of effort to assess others, the value of any offer is certainly unknown.

Exactly, Tonga is a known quantity. Anybody else is a roll of the dice.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Jackson out of Fl State is who I keep taking in mid round mocks.

Bowden Leadership award winner. Vrabel type. Massive man. 4th round - great run stuffer. Younger, cheaper, better.