New England Patriots’ head coach Jerod Mayo has indicated that discussions regarding the future of defensive tackle Christian Barmore are currently on hold as the focus remains solely on his recovery. Barmore has recently been placed on the reserve non-football illness list, although specific details regarding his condition were not disclosed. The team released statements mentioning that Barmore is dealing with recurring symptoms that necessitated further medical evaluation.

The 25-year-old player faced a challenging start to the season, as he was diagnosed with blood clots shortly after training camp commenced, leading to his absence for the first ten games. Barmore made his return on November 17 during a tough 28-22 defeat against the Los Angeles Rams. He participated in the last four games, showing resilience with six tackles and one sack during this limited play period.

Mayo expressed sympathy for Barmore, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing health over football performance. “I feel for Bar,” he mentioned, underscoring the unfortunate nature of his medical issues re-emerging and emphasizing the personal care for each athlete beyond their roles on the field.

Before this season, Barmore enjoyed a breakout year, achieving a career-high total of 8.5 sacks and 65 tackles. This performance led to a significant four-year contract extension worth up to $92 million during the spring. His absence has had an impact on the team’s defense, which currently ranks 28th in the league with only 27 sacks recorded throughout the season.

Mayo made it clear that discussions regarding Barmore’s long-term prognosis or potential future implications due to this latest issue have not yet taken place. “We’re not having those conversations right now. It’s again just about getting him healthy now,” he stated, reiterating that the primary goal is to ensure Barmore’s full recovery.