The New England Patriots turned heads in 2025 with a surprising run to the Super Bowl, ultimately falling to the Seattle Seahawks. This achievement was particularly impressive given the team's struggles in the years following Tom Brady's departure.
A key part of their strategy was investing wisely in talent last offseason. However, one player who might not be living up to his hefty contract is defensive lineman Christian Barmore.
Back in 2024, Barmore inked a significant four-year, $84 million deal, a reward for his standout 2023 season where he notched 64 tackles and 8.5 sacks. Unfortunately, his performance hasn't quite matched those numbers since.
Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon recently highlighted Barmore as the Patriots' most overpaid player. Gagnon pointed out Barmore's struggles with consistency and durability throughout his five-year tenure in New England. While Barmore remains a valuable asset, his performance hasn't justified his top-20 positional average annual value of $20.8 million.
In 2024, Barmore saw limited action, appearing in only four games without a start. He bounced back somewhat in 2025, playing 17 games with 16 starts, but his production was underwhelming.
Pro Football Focus graded him at 51.7 for the season, placing him 92nd among 134 qualified defensive linemen. Over the past two seasons, Barmore has managed just three sacks, far from his 2023 peak.
Looking ahead, the Patriots have some financial decisions to make. Trading Barmore post-June 1 could free up about $13.5 million in cap space, while cutting him would result in over $15 million in dead cap.
Yet, with limited depth behind him, the Patriots might opt to give Barmore another season to prove himself. The upcoming 2026 draft could be pivotal in determining his future with the team.