According to a source, the Patriots and Tonga were close on a contract extension before the playoffs. That deal never materialized, falling apart at the last minute.
The two parties talked again in Indianapolis, but couldn’t come to an agreement because Tonga’s price tag has gone up following the playoff run. … [T]he Patriots’ original deal, which was close, is no longer in the ballpark for what the defensive tackle might make in free agency.
The Patriots aren’t done negotiating with Tonga, but there’s a real chance he lands with another team in the coming weeks.