Pats Pulpit
Barmore has been full go throughout the spring.
Christian Barmore capped off a career-year in 2023 by signing a $84 million contract extension with the New England Patriots in the offseason. While everything was trending upward for the defensive tackle, everything then came to a screeching halt shortly after.
During training camp of the following year, Barmore was diagnosed with blood clots which sidelined him until mid-November. He managed to return for four games before being shut down for the season after his symptoms returned.
“That stuff I went through man, I would never ever want anybody to go through that,” Barmore said. “That stuff stopped me from breathing, stopped me, like literally. Now, I can breathe again. Now, my lungs opened up.”
Back feeling like his old self, Barmore has now been a full participant throughout spring practices.
“I’m good man. I’m good to go, green light,” Barmore said. “I’m feeling really confident in myself because, for one, I’m breathing, I’m talking, I’m just having fun, talking smack, just having a good time with my teammates, playing hard.”
New England’s defense missed their $84 million pass rusher last season as they ranked last in the league in total sacks. Barmore’s return will bring a major boost along the defensive line as the 25-year old plans to prove he’s still the player he was back in 2023 when he tallied a career-high 8.5 sacks to pair with 49 pressures.
“It’s really just a lot of fire in my heart, I could say that, because I feel like after that situation, people forget who I am,” Barmore said. “So I’m bringing a lot of competitive [energy] with me. Everyday I’m on this field, just to prove that I’m still me, and I’m always going to be me.”
The new defensive scheme — which encourages defensive line to attack and get up field — should only help his cause.
“I love it,” he said with a smile about the scheme. “I love it. Really love it. It excites me every time, man. It’s just real good energy every day.”
Barmore will not be the only boost to New England’s defensive line. Throughout the spring, Barmore has often aligned next to Milton Williams along the interior after the former Eagle signed a $104 million contract in free agency following a career-season himself.
Outside of that duo — which could become one of the more disruptive combos in football — is Keion White and fellow free agent addition Harold Landry.
“Those boys are dominant,” Barmore said. “Keion [White] you already know how he is, he’s dominant. Milton [Williams is] dominant. For me it’s just how we going to come in, roll, and take over the game. That’s our goal: How the D-line is going to take over. The game is won up front, so that’s our goal every time we are on that field.”
“I think that’s got to be a strength for us this year, that front seven,” Mike Vrabel added. “We certainly...
