The New England Patriots’ roster has improved at several positions since their Super Bowl loss to the Seattle Seahawks in February. One spot where that is not true is the interior defensive line, at least on paper.
The Patriots, after all, saw Khyiris Tonga depart in free agency. Their starting nose tackle signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Chiefs, leaving his former team lacking a player of his size and particular skillset.
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That is particularly true considering that New England did not made any substantial investments in the position since Tonga’s departure. They did add undrafted rookies David Blay Jr. and Travis Shaw, but neither can realistically be expected to replace a player who was on the field for a third of defensive snaps and an integral part of the team’s early-down defense.
So, what is the Patriots’ plan? According to Mike Vrabel, it will be a group effort that starts with Cory Durden.
“I think Cory already did [replace Tonga]. I think he proved that,” the reigning NFL Coach of the Year said.
“Lenny T — Leonard Taylor — worked with us. Eric Gregory worked with us. These guys are proving that they want to be there. Josh Farmer is back healthy. But Cory, I think, probably coming out of last year, would be that on paper. There will be a competition in training camp. But I think that’s a good group.”
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All four of the players mentioned by Vrabel came to Foxborough within the last 13 months.
Farmer was the first to come aboard as a fourth-round selection in the draft. He was later joined by post-cutdown pickups Gregory and Durden, as well as in-season signing Taylor.
All four saw action along the Patriots front in 2025, but Durden’s 512 snaps stood above the rest. In fact, he even out-snapped Tonga by 97 reps between the regular season and playoffs. There are some differences between the two, especially when it comes to build — Durden is listed as being 30 pounds lighter — but both proved their ability to compete and ultimately value to the New England defense last year.
With only Durden left between the pair and no major investments, the 27-year-old being the frontrunner is only natural. Whether or not he can live up to the billing remains to be seen, but Vrabel seems confident in him and the rest of the post-Tonga group.
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“Nobody was happier for Tonga than me personally, in what he was able to do for us,” he explained. “That’s the beauty of professional sports; he came here, we wanted him back, he got a better offer, and that’s what he had to do. That’s what he should have done. So, I’m going to support him and his family. But we also are excited.”
