FOXBOROUGH, MA — JUNE 9 - Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks through rows of players as they stretch during Patriots mini camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on June 9, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)
FOXBOROUGH, MA — JUNE 9 - Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel walks through rows of players as they stretch during Patriots mini camp at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA on June 9, 2025. (Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff)Jessica Rinaldi/Globe Staff
FOXBOROUGH — After laying out some serious dollars to fortify their defensive front in the offseason, coach Mike Vrabel is hoping for a return on the Patriots’ expenditures sooner rather than later.
“I think that’s got to be a strength for us this year, that front seven,” Vrabel said before Monday’s mandatory minicamp workout on the fields behind Gillette Stadium. “We certainly invested in that position.”
While noting that this portion of the workout program can be a challenge for defensive linemen because there’s no contact, Vrabel sounded an optimistic note.
“I like how they’re competing. I like how they’re working,” Vrabel said. “I’m excited about where they’re at. They’re learning a lot of installation. I think they’re working well together. I think they’re communicating, which is important. I think they’re working hard, and they’re getting in shape.”
Edge defender Harold Landry, who signed a three-year, $43.5 million deal this offseason, has been an energetic presence. The former Boston College standout, who has 50.5 sacks in his six seasons in the NFL, was enthusiastic when asked about the state of the defensive front.
“We’ve got a talented group up front, I can tell you that,” the 29-year-old Landry said. “That’s another reason why I’m excited for this season. Just all the way up and down, our front seven.
“Really, the whole defense, to be honest. This is an exciting group to be around, and I’m excited going into this season. You just look at it, and you just feel the excitement and the production you could have going out there, and knowing everybody out there has that playmaking ability.”
Landry and defensive tackle Milton Williams — the latter of whom signed a $104 million contract on the heels of a dominant performance for the Eagles in the Super Bowl — join edge defender Keion White and tackle Christian Barmore as the primary elements of New England’s defensive front.
Barmore, who was sidelined for a sizable portion of last year with blood clot issues, reiterated his feeling that he remains “good to go.”
“I’m good, man,” he said Monday. “Green light.”
While Vrabel wouldn’t offer a medical update on Barmore, he would say the former second-round pick out of Alabama has been as advertised.
“A player that is excited and that is coachable. Extremely coachable,” Vrabel said. “He has some versatility. He’s rushed inside. He’s lined up outside. He’s worked extremely hard. You’ve seen him chase and play with great effort down the field. I’m excited to see where he’s at, but I’ve seen a lot of improvement and a lot of engagement from him since the time that we’ve been here.”
White, who was outspoken in his desire for the franchise to make changes at the end of last year’s 4-13 campaign, also has been impressive.
“The sky’s the limit with Keion,” Landry said. “Just a physical specimen. I’m excited to just watch him grow and continue to improve.”
Induction date set
The Patriots announced that the Hall of Fame induction ceremony for Julian Edelman and Bill Parcells will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 4 p.m. on the Patriot Place Plaza, just outside the Patriots Hall of Fame. The event is free and open to the public … The team also announced it will hold just two minicamp workouts instead of the three that were initially scheduled. The team will work out Tuesday behind Gillette Stadium. “I just felt like hopefully we can get two good days of work here and get going on to the offseason program,” Vrabel said. “We’ll still work; I just didn’t want to come out.”
Christopher Price can be reached at christopher.price@globe.com. Follow him @cpriceglobe.