Christian Barmore Trusts Patriots' Retooled Defensive Front to Deliver
In 2025 -- albeit playing against a schedule that on paper at least appears to have been much weaker than the one that lies dead ahead – the New England Patriots found ways to overcome some serious injuries up front defensively.
Contributions from unlikely sources
With journeymen types like Christian Elliss and Jack Gibbens stepping in and stepping up, the Patriots won three playoff games without leading tackler Robert Spillane at inside linebacker.
When defensive tackle Milton Williams was sidelined, Khyiris Tonga, on his fourth team in five NFL seasons, raised his game, earning eight regular-season starts.
Even at the edge, K'Lavon Chaisson, Elijah Ponder and Anfernee Jennings made significant contributions – combining for 13.5 sacks.
Chaisson, Tonga, Jennings and Gibbens have all moved on, leaving certain question marks around the depth up front as the opening of training camp approaches on July 24.
Who steps up now?
The question remains, though. How stable and how deep is the New England Patriots' defensive front?
In ranking the Patriots as the No. 7 roster in the National Football League, ESPN listed edge rusher as the biggest weakness on the team.
Williams and Christian Barmore should be the anchors inside. Dre'Mont Jones was brought in on a mid-range type edge-rusher contract – three years, $36.5 million with $23 million guaranteed.
Assuming the secondary is set, meaning cornerback Christian Gonzalez is happy and actually gets paid, the front could unlock this defense and allow it to approach elite status.
Liking what he sees
Barmore, for one, was outspoken about the group around him and how good the Patriots could be in the box defensively.
"Special group of guys. We've got some new cats here, some new guys. They've already caught up," the veteran defensive tackle said at the recent June minicamp. "We've got some ‘dawgs' out here, I feel like they respond to our energy. All of us, even the vets, we all have the same goal.
"Stay composed. Stay committed. We all come here to go to war together. I feel like every year, we just have to keep working hard to be the best we can be so we can do the things we did last year, even better."
Remember, in three AFC playoff wins last winter, the Patriots allowed just 8.7 points a game while forcing eight turnovers.
New England's goal is, even with many new faces, to continue that run the defense was on in the playoffs and ratchet up the heat.
Copyright 2026 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 11:47 AM.