Patriots Make Christian Barmore Tradeable Amidst Role Change
The team is reportedly making the $84 million defensive tackle available as his playing time decreases.
The New England Patriots have placed veteran defensive tackle Christian Barmore on the trade block, according to reports. Barmore, who signed a four-year, $84 million contract extension in April 2024, has seen a significant reduction in his defensive snaps through the first seven weeks of the season.
Barmore is currently playing approximately 41.9% of the team's defensive plays. This diminished role places him behind fellow defensive tackles Milton Williams, a free-agent acquisition, and Cory Durden in the team's rotation. Despite limited playing time, Barmore has recorded six tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble this season. He also has 12 quarterback pressures, ranking second among the Patriots' interior defensive linemen.
"I do everything my coaches tell me to do, so you got to talk to coaches about that," Barmore stated regarding his role change.
Trading Barmore could offer financial relief for the Patriots, who are reportedly among the teams with less available salary cap space. His current cap number is $17.1 million. A trade could save the team approximately $8 million in the current season and up to $41 million over the next two seasons.
Barmore's career with the Patriots began when he was drafted out of Alabama in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He signed his significant contract extension shortly after the 2023 season, but his subsequent 2024 campaign was limited to just four games due to a blood clot issue. Barmore is currently the longest-tenured defensive player on the Patriots' roster and is one of the few remaining players drafted under former head coach Bill Belichick.