New England Patriots: Thoughts on the Stephon Gilmore Signing
The New England Patriots have uncharacteristically made a splash in free agency by agreeing to a deal with a Pro Bowl cornerback.
Bill Belichick never does anything on the first day of free agency. So the announcement that the New England Patriots have an agreement in place with former Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephen Gilmore was both stunning and immediately led to other questions.
The first reaction I had was excitement. The combination of Gilmore and Malcolm Butler would be even greater than the cornerback duo of Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner the team won the Super Bowl with back in 2014. The Patriots would easily have the best (if not one of the best secondaries) in the NFL.
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In Gilmore, the Patriots are receiving a lock-down corner coming off his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2016. The cost is hefty ($14 million per season), but this is a high reward move. Especially considering the fact that he is considered by some experts as the top defensive free agents entering the new league year. This is definitely a top-notch move by Bill Belichick.
But what is really behind the signing?
This is where Malcolm Butler’s current contract situation comes into the play. It would be great if Belichick’s true approach was to lock up two of the best corners in the NFL. But, as we know, the future Hall-of-Fame coach always has a plan and a backup plan.
Gilmore is more than likely Butler’s replacement. The Patriots recently gave the former undrafted cornerback a first-round tender that will pay him $3.91 this upcoming season. Butler wants a long-term deal, but the two sides don’t seem to be close to one or even in the same ballpark. So what does a mastermind like Belichick do?
Just minutes after the potential signing was announced, that excitement I had was immediately deflated when ESPN’s Dianna Russini announced, via Twitter, that the Patriots are considering to work out a deal sending Butler to the New Orleans Saints for Brandin Cooks.
The New England Patriots are considering trading Malcolm Butler to the New Orleans Saints for Brandin Cooks per sources
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 9, 2017
As the two teams have been rumored in trade discussions over the past few days, it is a move that would make sense for both teams. As exciting as it would be to sign a player like Gilmore and add a receiver like Cooks to the team, it would be just as sad to see a hard-working player like Malcolm Butler go.
Next: 5 Wide Receivers the New England Patriots Should Target in Free Agency
On a day that is meant to be filled with mixed emotions, the business side of the NFL is making it just that. Stay tuned!