The New England Patriots have been scrutinized for their spending habits, and one analyst has identified the team”s most overpaid player. This designation falls on defensive tackle Christian Barmore, a former second-round draft pick from 2021, who plays a critical role on the team.
While the Patriots may not be struggling with salary cap issues, their recent acquisitions have raised eyebrows. Barmore signed a three-year contract worth $36.5 million, which seems reasonable in the context of other players” contracts. For instance, Alijah Vera-Tucker, an injury-prone guard, received $42 million over the same span, and Romeo Doubs, a former receiver for the Green Bay Packers, landed a deal averaging $17 million per year despite never reaching 750 receiving yards in a season. However, according to Bleacher Report, these players do not hold the title of the most overpaid player on the roster.
Writer Brad Gagnon points out that Barmore”s performance has not justified his annual average value of $20.8 million, particularly in light of his inconsistency and injury challenges. Gagnon states, “The interior defensive lineman show continues with Barmore, who has lacked both consistency and durability for much of his five-year run thus far in New England.”
Despite showing promise, including a breakout season in 2023 with 8.5 sacks, Barmore”s form has waned since signing a lucrative four-year deal worth $84 million, which extends through 2028. Following an injury-plagued 2024 season where he managed only six tackles and one sack, Barmore returned in 2025. Although he played in every game, starting in all but one, his statistics significantly declined compared to his previous season.
According to Pro Football Focus, Barmore is still expected to have another year to demonstrate his value. If the Patriots cut him before next season, they would incur a dead cap cost of $5.7 million. However, they could save $16.4 million by releasing him a year later, which is increasingly likely if his performance does not improve. This indicates that 2026 will be pivotal for Barmore”s future with the franchise.
Daniel Arwas, the writer from On SI, has been covering the New England Patriots since 2022, contributing to various sports platforms. He holds a Bachelor”s degree in philosophy from the University of British Columbia, where he graduated in 2021.
