On Thursday, Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore met with the media at Gillette Stadium for the first time since a recurrence of blood clot-related symptoms last December ended his 2024 season after only appearing in four games.
Those recurring symptoms marked the end of a disappointing season that never really got started for the 25-year-old. After signing a $92 million extension in April of last year, all eyes were on the Alabama-product to take yet another step forward as one of the NFL’s best up-and-coming defensive tackles. Instead, Barmore was given a scary blood clots diagnosis during training camp, marking the former All-Rookie performer out indefinitely and adding him to the non-football injury (NFI) list.
Despite being given the green light to return to the playing field in November, Barmore didn’t look like the same player from the first three years of his career. He managed just 6 tackles and 1 tackle-for-loss in only four games before heading back to the NFI list with recurring symptoms.
But Thursday, Barmore told a room of reporters that all of this is behind him, as he’s cleared to return as a full participant to football activities. Best of all, he said that he anticipates being able to start Week 1 at home against the Raiders.
“I’m really just enjoying the game that I love again,” said Barmore. “Just not worrying about the stuff that was holding me back from last year’s stuff. You know, really just enjoying the blessing to be playing this game.
“Feeling better, keep getting better, feeling good, more confidence in myself. Back with my breathing. So I’m just feeling really good. I’m talking my smack, yeah. All that, yeah.”
Barmore said on Thursday that he has his confidence back, which is good news for a side of the ball who was in desperate need of his help all of last season, fielding the 23rd worst rushing defense, 25th worst red zone defense and 26th worst third down defense.
A healthy 2023-version of Barmore in the middle of that defense would have changed things, there’s no doubt about. Just look at his numbers from that last full season:
- 8.5 sacks, led the team
- 13 tackles-for-loss, second on the team
- 6 QB hurries, fourth on the team
- 6 passes defended, fifth on the team
- 64 tackles, seventh on the team
Those are massive numbers for a player at his position, and give credence to his massive contract extension from last spring. With complications from blood clots hopefully in his rearview, Patriots fans will be counting on Barmore to round back into this form.
If he’s able to do so, he’ll make up one part of what has a chance to be one of the best defensive line duos in the NFL, as the Patriots handed out massive money this offseason for Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams - up to $104 million over the course of a four-year deal.
And with these two defensive tackles combining for a cap hit of $28 million this season, Patriots fans have every right to expect this unit to be an elite one leaguewide.
Fortunately for both the team and the fans, these guys both recognize how special this combination could and should be.
Both Barmore and Williams were visibly excited while talking to the media this week about getting the chance to work alongside each other in 2025, with both players referencing a daily challenge they have with each other to see who can get to the facility first.
If both players can remain healthy and play at their full potential, New England has a chance to have one of the best interior defensive lines in the NFL.
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