FOXBORO — In signing safety Kyle Dugger and defensive tackle Christian Barmore to long-term extensions this offseason, the Patriots retained not only two of their best defenders, but two of their best players.
So how do the best of the Pats get better?
“Just be consistent. Lead by example,” said Dugger, 27, after Monday’s OTA practice. “Put my foot forward, and help anywhere I see possible. Not try to do everything, do what is needed of me. Help the younger guys come along, and things like that.”
Barmore was more to the point.
“Playing everywhere on the D-line,” the 24-year-old said. “Everywhere I go, just dominate.”
Last month, Barmore inked the richest contract ever handed to a Patriots player not named Tom Brady. The front office locked him up on a 4-year, $84 million contract, including $41.8 million guaranteed. Barmore, who turns 25 in July, is entering the prime of his career and coming off a career year.
The 2021 second-round pick pocketed 8.5 sacks, 64 tackles, six pass deflections and a forced fumble last year. He is expected to start full-time this season, after making a personal-best six starts last year. The 6-foot-5, 315-pounder has shown immense improvement with his run defense, but it’s his pass rush and versatility that got him paid.
And Barmore doesn’t plan on stopping now.
“My goal is to take my game to another level, and just be bigger than ever. Be a baller,” he said. “Let my game speak for itself. Just doing everything my coaches need me to do and being the guy for my teammates.”
As for Dugger, who turns 28 this summer, he reached terms on a 4-year, $58 million extension after receiving the transition tag, which sparked tense negotiations. Those talks ended in early April with a done deal that Dugger said he first heard about while on the treadmill. His agent, Andy Simms, called w
“I was just like, ‘What do you want?’ A little agitated,” Dugger said Monday. “But once the news was told to me, I was obviously excited. I went right back to work.”
By the time he chose to stop his workout, Dugger appreciated what the deal truly represented: time and security to take a breath after four hard seasons and a well-earned new contract.
“It’s just a relief, honestly,” he said. “It’s nothing you can completely ignore, as much as you try to, if I’m being honest. That’s always kind of sitting there. As much as you try and focus on the field and other things like that. But once you can come to an agreement, it just allows you to get back and put all your focus on the field, the work, and everything going on that will help you play better going into the new season.”