Patriots minicamp opened up this week and there was one notable absence. Star cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who is just a year removed from being named the NFL’s best defensive player, did not make the trip for the mandatory practices and it doesn’t sound like the team expects him to show up.
This isn’t a very complicated situation. Gilmore has one year left on his deal and wants a new one. The 30-year-old stands to make $7.7 million in new cash this season — 25 corners will make more this season — and is understandably in a rush to sign at least one more big contract before the peak of his career is behind him.
The Patriots shopped Gilmore in trade talks last year and Belichick has famously opted for getting rid of players a year too early rather than a year too late, so it seems more likely than not that Gilmore’s days in New England are nearing their end.
So you’re either in one of two camps:
- You’re a fan of the Patriots and you’re wondering if it’s too early to cut ties with Gilmore, who has been the team’s best defensive player of the last few seasons.
- You’re a fan of one of the 31 other teams that might be interested in Gilmore’s services and you’re wondering if it’s worth trading a Day 2 pick or two for him.
We’re here to try to answer those and any other questions you might have about Stephon Gilmore in 2021. Let’s start with the most pressing question…