Christian Barmore's breakout 2023 campaign might feel as if it has been lost to the passage of time.
The standout defensive tackle is out to ensure this doesn't end up being true.
"Really just a lot of fire in my heart. After that situation, people forget who I am," Barmore said of dealing with life-threatening blood clots that cost him most of 2024, via MassLive.com. "I'm bringing a lot of (competitiveness) with me. Every day, when I'm on this field."
Barmore has reason to be motivated more than ever. In what was expected to be the next step in his ascending career, the aforementioned health issue forced him out of football activities entirely in July of 2024, and even when he was treated for the blood clots and cleared to return in November, recurring symptoms sent him back to the reserve/non-football illness list in December.
Suddenly, a promising career seemed to be in jeopardy. But Barmore, who appeared in just four total games last season, has taken the subsequent time to recuperate, was cleared for football activities in the spring and hasn't missed a beat during organized team activities and Monday's start to mandatory minicamp.
For the first time in nearly a year, Barmore can feel optimistic about his outlook. And he has one goal.
"Prove I'm still me," he said. "And I'm always going to be me."
At his best, Barmore, 25, has been a game-wrecking defensive tackle, recording 8.5 sacks and 64 tackles (including 13 for loss) in 2023. He tied for sixth in run stops (50) and 11th in QB pressures among all defensive tackles in 2023 while facing a double-team rate north of 50 percent.
The Patriots knew the Alabama product was a worthy investment, signing him to a four-year, $84 million extension to secure a key part of their defense for years to come.
Then, the blood clots arrived.
With medical clearance and no issues to this point, Barmore is aiming to pick up where he left off in 2023 and build upon his first year of significant production.
New Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel has already identified the potential in the defensive tackle.
"What I've seen is a player that is excited and that is coachable. Extremely coachable," Vrabel said. "He has some versatility. He's rushed inside. He's lined up outside. He's worked extremely hard. You've seen him chase and play with great effort down the field. I'm excited to see where he's at, but I've seen a lot of just improvement and a lot of engagement from him since the time that we've been here."
Barmore has every reason to be engaged. Just six months ago, his football future was in doubt.
Now, he's planning to make sure nobody ever doubts him again.
