New England Patriots rumors: Trade Stephon Gilmore if the price is right

The New England Patriots should trade their top defender if the price is right, even if such a move weakens the defense in 2021, or would it?

If you are just one season removed from the NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors, you want to be paid like a game-changing defender.  If you are Patriots shut down corner Stephon Gilmore, you want to at least be paid like a top cornerback.

So, there is no way Gilmore is playing for just $7 million in base salary in 2021 even at the age of 30 and coming off a quad injury.  After holding out of mandatory minicamp, Bill Belichick and the team seem to know what they are up against when it comes to Gilmore’s contract.  They know he deserves more money, so what is the hold up?

Is New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick looking at the next man up?

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Knowing Belichick, he is looking at an up-and-coming cornerback like J.C. Jackson and he is also looking at the fact that Gilmore is coming off a torn quad injury.  That’s where the stare down begins and ultimately it is where it will end.  Gilmore is looking around the league at other corners and seeing his worth and just wants an extension to support that worth.

The good thing about this contract standoff is that Gilmore has not been loud about it or demanding a trade.  The man just wants his money.

"“Hopefully, we can find some common ground and get it situated,” Gilmore told Josina Anderson, via NFL.com.  “I just know what I bring to the table and my style of play.  Right now, I’m just trying to focus on myself and make sure I’m good mentally and physically.”"

That sounds like a man who wants to remain in a New England Patriots uniform, but will Belichick be willing to keep him on Gilmore’s terms?

New England Patriots won’t shy away from a Stephon Gilmore trade

Typically, we know how these contract situations end.  Unless it’s a player like Vince Wilfork, the typically involve the player being traded if Belichick sees any decline in their game.  Does he see such a decline in Gilmore’s game?  The better question is if he feels Jackson can fill that role?

This is a very similar situation to that Darrelle Revis contract year when the team happily moved on to Malcolm Butler.  In this situation, Belichick has a chance to get some value in return for Gilmore if he entertains a trade.  If the price is right Bill, pull the trigger.

What could that price be?

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes the Patriots could see something similar to what the Atlanta Falcons received for Julio Jones, another star over the age of 30 with something left in the tank to help a contending team.

During a recent appearance on WEEI’s “The Ken & Curtis Show,” Fowler rules out a first-round pick in return for Gilmore, but a package of second and third rounders is not out of the question.

"“Julio Jones was worth a (second-round pick) and a (third-round pick) in part because you’re giving up that big salary,” Fowler said, as transcribed by NESN.  “It wouldn’t shock me to see him (Gilmore) something close to that.  I would say Gilmore ranks in the cornerback pantheon around in the same place as Jones does right now (among receivers).  Jones is two years older.”"

Though Gilmore is vital to the way Belichick wants to play defense, if he can get that kind of return, he must take it or even push for something more like perhaps a player coming back in the deal.  A team that may be a cornerback away from contention may just satisfy the Patriots coach into moving on.