The New England Patriots' defense overall had a solid game against Carolina. One player who's beginning to assert himself and is getting back into top form is defensive lineman Christian Barmore. While his stats are not earth-shattering, Barmore is starting to make a difference on the defensive line, along with his teammate, Milton Williams.
The defensive line is generating solid pressure on opposing quarterbacks, led by edge rushers Harold Landry III, K'Lavon Chaisson, and defensive tackles Barmore and Milton Williams, the top free agent signee. Both Barmore and Williams are top pocket-collapsars, and Barmore seems to be rounding into the form he had back in 2023.
Having a rejuvenated Barmore back will be a massive boost to the Patriots' defense. Before the 2024 season, Barmore unfortunately experienced a serious health issue. He only played in four games in 2024. Now, it appears he's starting to get back to his 2023 form, and it's a welcome sign for the 2025 Patriots' defense.
The Patriots need Christian Barmore to shine the rest of the season
Christian Barmore's 2025 stats to date are pedestrian. He has only seven total stops with one tackle for loss, three quarterback hits, and no sacks to his credit in four starts. That's a far cry from 2023, when he had his breakout season with 64 total stops, 13 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, six passes defended, and an impressive 8.5 sacks.
It was a superlative 2023 for the big defensive tackle, but his 2024 season was derailed by a health issue that kept him sidelined for 13 games. Now, as he works to return to his outstanding 2023 performance level, signs are emerging that he's beginning to round into form.
Christian Barmore had 4 pressures yesterday and should've drawn almost as many holding penalties.
— Andrew Callahan (@_AndrewCallahan) September 29, 2025
Classic case of the box score (0 tackles, 2 QB hits) not telling the whole story. pic.twitter.com/1wNymGxxTK
Against Carolina, he registered two quarterback hits, but still no ultimate big plays: sacks, tackles for loss, and batted down passes. Yet, as pointed out by Callahan, four pressures and maybe uncalled holding penalties are a good indicator that he's beginning to regain his 2023 form.
Barmore, Williams, and Keion White can be a terrifying trio on the Patriots' defensive line
Christian Barmore's rounding into form can only be looked upon as a major positive development for the Patriots' defense. As Head Coach Mike Vrabel asserted, everything revolves around the play of the big guys up front. On defense, that's the defensive tackles and edge players.
On the edge, both Landry and Chaisson have been solid. Landry has four quarterback hits, three tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Chaisson has chipped in with 2.5 sacks and five quarterback hits. Meanwhile, Williams, Barmore's interior partner, has five tackles for loss, three quarterback hits, and two sacks to his credit. Taken together, they are a solid statistical sample after four games.
One name that should be registering among the interior defensive linemen but, is not is Keion White Vrabel continues to use White on the edge, a position where he's ineffective Like his two dismissed predecessors, Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo, Vrabel persists in mistakenly using White on the edge The results have been predictable White has only registered two stops and no big plays.
The implications of this are considerable. Each interior defensive lineman contributes to the performance of the group. Playing Barmore, Williams, and White together inside magnifies the pressure on the pocket exponentially. Each demands a double-team. The paucity of blockers then allows the edges to clean up and make plays, if the tackles don't. Vrabel is missing the boat on White, and it's costing the team. White is too good a player to be playing the wrong position.
Christian Barmore's rounding into form is great for the Patriots' defensive line. He and Williams are top defensive tackles. Yet, the opportunity cost of not playing White inside along with them is substantial. All three play better if the other two are alongside. If Vrabel persists in misplaying White as an edge, expect a lackluster season from him and his leaving thereafter. It's time for Vrabel to get the message.