Mike Vrabel, as a defensive coach, aims to build a dominant defense for the Patriots. To that end, Vrabel went to the free agent market and the draft, adding key components, also known as playmakers, to give his defense the wherewithal it needs to excel.
One factor lost in all the hype and excitement of the new additions was that the team already had several top players on defense on whom Vrabel could depend. These included All-Pro cornerback Christian Gonzalez, defensive lineman Keion White, emerging linebacker Christian Gonzalez, and safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.
Another who was on the verge of superstardom when he encountered a health issue in 2024 was defensive tackle Christian Barmore. He had had an explosive, monster breakout season in 2023 with 64 total stops, 13 tackles for loss, 16 quarterback hits, six passes defended, a forced fumble, and 8.5 sacks. It was a tour de force for the third-year tackle when the health issue hit. But he's hopefully back now, fully healthy, and the NFL had better be on notice.
Christian Barmore is ready to explode once again onto the NFL star scene
After having a tough 2024 season, Christian Barmore is hopeful of getting back to his 2023 performance level, and if so, the Patriots' defensive fortunes will be the beneficiaries. Barmore, if healthy, is one of the NFL's best defensive tackles.
The Boston Herald's Doug Kyed spoke about the positives for Barmore thus far.
No setbacks for Patriots DT Christian Barmore, who worked on conditioning away from full-team drills today, per source. The Patriots have a plan in place for Barmore and will stick to that plan in his return from last season's blood clot issues.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 24, 2025
Mark Daniels of Masslive doubles down on Barmore's conditioning, as well.
"Christian Barmore wasn’t a full participant on Day 2 of training camp, but the Patriots defensive tackle couldn’t be happier to be where he is right now. After sitting out most of last season due to a scary blood clot diagnosis, Barmore came to training camp in the best shape of his life. The 25-year-old looks notably slimmer and said he’s dropped his weight down to 305 pounds after playing as high as 325 two seasons ago."
These are solid signs that the Patriots' talented defensive tackle, with Pro Bowl potential, is hopefully all the way back from his health issues and ready to make a statement in 2025. If it's anything like 2023, it will be a major positive for Mike Vrabel's defense.
Barmore's return will make the Patriots' D-line positively fearsome
Barmore's addition to the defense poses a threat to the opposition. If he's even quicker than 2023 because of his weight loss, his potential could rise to off-the-charts. In 2025, he won't have to toil in the trenches alone. He'll have plenty of help.
Vrabel added the best penetrating defensive tackle on the market in free agency, Milton Williams. He starred in the Super Bowl for the Eagles. Like Barmore, he'll be a handful to keep out of the opposition's backfield. He'll also have Keion White, who, if properly deployed alongside in an inside gap (an unlikely scenario, unfortunately), will be another double-team waiting to happen.
Rookie Joshua Farmer and returning Jeremiah Pharms Jr. will provide solid depth. Additionally, Christian Barmore's return to full-time duty will signal a significant improvement in the Patriots' defensive fortunes. The Patriots now have the potential to have one of the NFL's best interior defensive lines. Added to the other playmakers Mike Vrabel brought in, it's a ticket to the 2025 NFL playoffs.
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