The Arizona Cardinals continue to make moves in free agency to bolster what was an awful defense from last season. Already having re-signed defensive lineman L.J. Collier and added Justin Jones and Bilal Nichols, the team announced Friday that former Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga signed a one-year contract.
He was scheduled to be a restricted free agent but the Vikings opted against offering him a qualifying RFA tender.
Tonga entered the league in 2021, drafted by the Chicago Bears out of BYU. He spent his rookie season there and then played two years for the Minnesota Vikings.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 338 pounds, Tonga will be 28 years old before the start of the season.
Last season, he played in 14 games, starting two. He had 15 total tackles, a tackle for loss and two quarterback hits in 188 defensive snaps.
He has appeared in 40 games in his three NFL seasons, starting three. He has 67 total career tackles, half a sack, a fumble recovery and four tipped passes.
He projects as a rotational player and, depending on how his contract is structured, might have to battle to make the roster.
Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1363]