Stephon Gilmore's Next Team: Where will the former Patriots cornerback play next?
Stephon Gilmore's Next Team: Where will the former Patriots cornerback play next?
The New England Patriots are reportedly releasing former All-Pro, Defensive Player of the Year CB Stephon Gilmore. Here's five teams that should chase Stephon Gilmore.
In a stunning move this morning, the New England Partiots are reportedly releasing former All-Pro and DPOY DB Stephon Gilmore. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted out the shocking move earlier this morning.
The Patriots made the move due to both injury concerns and financial flexibility, according to reports.
Gilmore has not played a snap yet this season as he’s still recovering from his quad injury. But let there be no doubt: When healthy, Gilmore is still one of the best shut down cornerbacks in the NFL. At 31 years old, Gilmore’s best football may be behind him. However, he did showcase as recently as last season that he’s still a top cornerback in this league.
And he can certainly still provide a massive boost to any defense in the league.
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There’s still a possibility that the Patriots could trade Gilmore before 4:00pm today, if a team wants to secure their chances of landing Gilmore prior to his official release.
Where will Gilmore be playing next? Plenty of teams will be pursuing Gilmore, so we’ll give you five.
Five teams that should go get Stephon Gilmore:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s not only because of Tom Brady, but Brady’s presence in Tampa Bay definitely plays a role in this decision. Brady and Gilmore have a relationship going back to their winning ways in New England. And the Buccaneers being a Super Bowl contender this season should certainly help when recruiting Gilmore, too.
The Buccaneers secondary is such a mess that they played Richard Sherman – and even started him – Sunday night against the Patriots. In Sherman’s first game action in a long time, he looked slow, old, and out of sync. At this point in their careers, Gilmore is a far superior defender regardless of his recent injury concerns.
Adding Gilmore to this Bucs defense would be an immediate upgrade for the secondary while also adding veteran leadership in that locker room.
Kansas City Chiefs
This is another obvious one. The Chiefs defense is bad – really bad. Every quarterback that’s faced the Chiefs has looked as if Patrick Mahomes were playing quarterback for both teams.
Throughout Patrick Mahomes’ time in Kansas City, he has never had a cornerback like Stephon Gilmore. Mahomes certainly deserves an improved defense, because asking him to put up 40 points every week is not sustainable for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Andy Reid should be on the phone with Gilmore’s agent as I’m writing this.
Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott has lifted the Dallas Cowboys to new heights through the first four games of the season. The Cowboys offense is as dynamic and complete as any offense in the NFL. And this defense looks much better than it did a season ago.
The secondary in Dallas could still use a smart experienced cornerback like Gilmore. Between Gilmore’s veteran experience and leadership, to his winning track record in New England, he would be a superb fit in Dallas. Both on the field, and in the locker room.
We all know how Jerry Jones likes to walk his walk and talk his talk. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jerry sell Gilmore on coming to Dallas.
Los Angeles Chargers
The LA Chargers could potentially be 4-0 right now if it weren’t for a 56-yard field goal by Cowboys’ kicker Greg Zuerlein. At 3-1, the Chargers look like the team to beat in the AFC West, especially given how putrid the Chiefs defense has looked to start the season.
Led by their rising star at quarterback in Justin Herbert, this offense can beat you multiple ways. The Chargers defense has played very well thus far too – and rookie cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. looks like the real deal.
Adding an experienced veteran who can still play at a high level like Gilmore would only make this Chargers defense that much more dangerous.
It also wouldn’t hurt recruiting Gilmore to LA to assure your division rival, Kansas City Chiefs, don’t get him.
Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers is back, and one would assume that the Packers front office would prefer to keep Rodgers happy. At least for the 2021 NFL season, that is.
The Packers defense ranks 20th in pass defense deficiency, per Football Outsiders. Jaire Alexander is a great cornerback, but after him things have been a work in progress for the Green Bay secondary. The Packers saw this coming too, as they drafted Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Stokes recorded his first career interception last week against the Steelers when he picked off Ben Roethlisberger in the fourth quarter.
If the Packers trust Stokes’ development and trajectory for the 2021 season, they may not truly need Gilmore. Although, added veteran depth on defense is never a bad thing for a team with Super Bowl ambitions this season.
If Rodgers wants to recruit the former Defensive Player of the Year cornerback, I believe he will.
Another team to keep an eye on is Seattle. CB is a big need on the team and they need a bunch of help on that side of the ball. Plus Stephon is a great fit in Pete’s defense.