The defensive tackle has been sidelined since training camp due to a blood clots diagnosis.
The latest episode of his Quick Snap podcast saw David Andrews answer some rapid-fire questions from co-host and former teammate Brian Hoyer. One of those inquired about who Andrews thought was the funniest guy in the New England Patriots locker room at the moment.
Andrews’ answer may have come as something of a surprise: defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
Even though the fourth-year man currently finds himself sidelined following a blood clots diagnosis early in training camp, Barmore has been a regular at the Gillette Stadium facility over the last two months. His presence has helped him stay involved with the team, but also lightened the mood in the locker room — especially on Fridays.
“He has projects that he’s working on, a bunch of those things, and he’s also in charge of Friday Funny” explained head coach Jerod Mayo. “It’s like a 30-second, one-minute clip just to get the guys laughing on Fridays. He’s doing a good job.”
A second-round draft pick by the Patriots in 2021, Barmore has developed into one of the most disruptive interior defensive linemen in football over his first three years in the league. Along the way, he has become a tone-setter off the field.
“He’s a positive force and a light for those guys when he’s around. A guy who has done some great things in this league, and will continue to do great things in this league when he’s back,” said outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins.
“He’s a guy that everybody kind of gravitates toward. Outside ‘backers, D-line, everybody on the team really likes that guy because of his personality, because he’s got a gravitational pull to him.”
As a result of his play on the field and personality off it, the Patriots decided to make a long-term commitment to Barmore earlier this offseason. In April, three months before his diagnosis, the team signed him to a four-year, $84 million contract extension through 2028 that also includes almost $32 million in guarantees.
While his immediate future remains unclear due to his medical status, the Patriots appear confident that Barmore will eventually return. And until then, both the player and the team are keeping busy.
“It’s important for a guy like that to be in the building,” said Mayo. “One thing about the idle mind, you’re just sitting at home all the time, that’s nothing but trouble. For a young player like that, this is an opportunity. This is an opportunity for him to learn about football as a whole and not just what a defensive tackle does.”
“He’s just been around, staying active from the standpoint of being involved in meetings, keeping his mind on football, stuff like that,” added defensive line coach Jerry Montgomery. “It’s just been good to have him around, for sure.”
Barmore will be eligible to come off the non-football injury list after the Patriots’ Week 4 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Whether that will happen remains to be seen and is dependent on the medical professionals’ clearance.
Regardless, the 25-year-old will continue to have a positive impact his team.