Patriots’ Christian Barmore Is Out To Prove He’s Still Himself In 2025

Christian Barmore intends on keeping last year behind him.

After missing all but four games in 2024 due to complications stemming from blood clots, the New England Patriots defensive tackle has been medically cleared for a full return in 2025. And since players reported back to Gillette Stadium for the offseason workout program, he’s been among them from April into June.

That’s the plan moving forward.

“That stuff I went through, man, I would never, ever want anybody to go through that,” Barmore told reporters following Monday’s session of mandatory minicamp. “That stuff, imagine someone stopping you from breathing, literally like stopping you. Now, I can breathe again. Now, them lungs open up, so it’s like what’s up. I’m good, man. Good to go. Green light.”

The 25-year-old Barmore had been placed on the non-football illness list as active rosters around the NFL reduced to 53 last August. He was moved back to the list in December after experiencing recurring symptoms.

In between the shutdowns arrived 123 defensive snaps. Those snaps brought one sack and six total tackles.

“There’s really just a lot of fire in my heart,” Barmore said. “I can say that because I feel like after that situation, people forgot who I am. So I’m just really bringing a lot of competitive with me. Every day when I’m on this field, it’s just to prove that I’m still me and I’m always going to be me.”

Last spring, Barmore signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension with New England. It carried a maximum value of $92 million as well as $41.8 million in guarantees.

The agreement came on the heels of a 2023 campaign that spanned 64 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and a team-high 8.5 sacks for Barmore. Pro Football Focus charted his degree of disruption for 49 combined quarterback pressures. He also had a hand in six pass breakups and one forced fumble while appearing in every game.

“I feel really confident in myself because, one, I’m breathing, talking,” the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Barmore said as sights turn toward training camp. “I’m just having fun, talking stuff, talking smack. Just having a good time with my teammates and playing hard.”

Since landing in Foxborough at pick No. 38 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, the former University of Alabama national champion’s run has included 48 games, 139 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks and 11 starts.

And now, a restart.

“Well, I’m not going to comment on Christian’s medical status. I’ll leave that up to him, but what I’ve seen is a player that is excited and that is coachable,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel said during his Monday press conference. “Extremely coachable. He has some versatility. He’s rushed inside. He’s lined up outside. He’s worked extremely hard. You’ve seen him chase and play with great effort down the field. I’m excited to see where he’s at, but I’ve seen a lot of just improvement and a lot of engagement from him since the time that we’ve been here.”