ORLANDO, Fla. — The Patriots would like to keep their defensive corps in place as they move forward in a new era.
That means potentially extending defensive tackle Christian Barmore and outside linebacker Matt Judon.
Barmore, a 2021 second-round pick, is entering a contract year. Extension talks started at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to a source.
“One thing about Barmore, he’s one of those players, he’s developed here. There were some questions coming out of college, obviously, you know, his potential. He’s done a fantastic job really growing up,” head coach Jerod Mayo said Monday at the NFL Annual Meeting. “I think DeMarcus (Covington) and Joe Kim have done a good job really helping develop him. Once again, it goes back to — we want to keep our own. We want to keep our own players. We have had talks with Barmore. Hopefully, it works out.”
Covington previously served as Barmore’s defensive line coach before being promoted to defensive coordinator this offseason. Kim is the Patriots’ director of skill development, specializing in pass rushers.
Judon’s situation is a little bit different. The Patriots borrowed $3 million from his 2024 salary to give him a pay raise in 2023. That leaves him due just $7.5 million in cash this season.
“There’s no question we want a guy like Judon. And going back to keeping our own, when Judon was in Baltimore, he just happened to be this great guy and a great fit, a culture add for us,” Mayo said. “And we want to keep Judon. We want to keep him, but that’s more of a question for (de facto GM) Eliot (Wolf). But those conversations have started. We know he’s still a premier rusher in this league. As we continue to go forward, we want him to be a piece of the puzzle.”
Barmore, 24, had a breakout campaign in 2023, setting career highs with 8.5 sacks, 16 QB hits, 13 tackles for loss, 64 tackles, six pass breakups and one forced fumble in 17 games with six starts.
Judon, 31, suffered a season-ending torn biceps four games into the 2023 season. He has 32 sacks in 38 games with 33 starts in three seasons with the Patriots, garnering Pro Bowl honors in 2021 and 2022.