Patriots and Christian Barmore Agree to a 4-Year Contract Worth Up to $92 Million; New Salary Cap.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the New England Patriots and defensive tackle Christian Barmore have reached a four-year contract agreement worth up to $92 million.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler revealed that Barmore will receive a guaranteed $41.8 million.

Barmore, who is in the last year of his rookie contract, will only count $2.7 million toward the 2024 NFL salary cap. The Patriots may have adjusted his current compensation to lessen the long-term impact because they still have $54.1 million in available cap space. Additionally, they have plenty of room ($144 million in 2025), so his raise won’t significantly reduce their flexibility.

The action is in line with a broader market trend. Top-tier interior defenders now command salaries of $20 million or more annually, with Chris Jones of the Kansas City Chiefs earning an average pay of $31.8 million, which puts him in a league of his own.

Considering that Barmore has never started more than six games in a season, the Patriots are placing a significant wager on him. But given his output in 2023, New England might have saved some money by avoiding his free agency, as he was likely to receive a substantial salary one way or another.

During the previous season, the 24-year-old recorded career highs in tackles (64), sacks (8.5), and tackles for loss (13). In terms of defensive tackles, he was ranked 11th by ESPN’s pass rush win rate (13 percent).

As the organization looks to the future in the post-Bill Belichick era, director of scouting Eliot Wolf characterizes the Patriots as “a draft and develop team.” Signing Barmore to a long-term contract fits into that overall plan.