New England Patriots Sign Defensive Lineman Christian Barmore to Massive Extension

The New England Patriots are investing in a homegrown talent. According to the Boston Herald's Doug Kyed, the Patriots have completed a four-year, $84 million extension with defensive lineman Christian Barmore.

Christian Barmore's four-year, $84 million deal worth up to $92 million is the second-largest contract in Patriots history only behind Tom Brady. https://t.co/Fx2nC1Q5Ll
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) April 29, 2024

Barmore's deal also includes incentives that could carry it to $92 million. As Kyed notes, it's the second largest deal in Patriots history in annual average, behind only a one-year, $23 million extension signed by legendary quarterback Tom Brady in 2019.

It's an aggressive and forward-thinking transaction by the Patriots. Barmore, the 38th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, only just became extension-eligible this offseason. He has also mostly only been a rotational player to this point in his career, topping out at six starts in 17 appearances this past season with 750 defensive snaps played. Despite all that, he's now easily the team's highest-paid player, surpassing right tackle Michael Onwenu's four-year, $57 million contract signed earlier this offseason.

Still, Barmore is definitely an ascendant talent at only 24 years old. He set career highs in sacks (8.5) and Pro Football Focus overall grade (83.8) in 2023. If Barmore continues to progress, his current deal will eventually become a bargain; as of this moment, the $21 million annual average of the contract is tied for the 12th richest in the league among interior defensive linemen.