When head coach Mike Vrabel took over the New England Patriots, he released several key players from the team’s glory days. With the departures of Joe Cardona, Ja’Whaun Bentley, and David Andrews, no Patriots players from their Super Bowl victory against the Los Angeles Rams in 2019 remain on the roster.
Only 10 former Patriots are on teams in 2025, and four remain free agents. One of those four that remained unsigned is the 2019 AP Defensive Player of the Year, Stephon Gilmore. However, with some teams dealing with injuries, the five-time Pro-Bowler could potentially end up signing with a team at some point in the season.
Veteran CB Stephon Gilmore Remains Unsigned Entering Week 6
Through five weeks of play, Gilmore is still a free agent. Gilmore played last season for the Minnesota Vikings, recording 56 tackles, 40 of which were solo tackles, nine pass deflections, and one interception in 15 games.
Despite having a solid season, he showed clear signs of regression, specifically in his performance in pass coverage. Gilly Island appeared to be open last year, as Gilmore allowed a career-high 58 receptions on 87 targets, 581 receiving yards, and one touchdown.
His 63.9 Pro Football Focus grade ranked 93rd out of 222 cornerbacks, whereas his 60.4 coverage grade ranked 118th. Gilmore, 35, is far from his lockdown days in New England, where he was able to shut down an opponent’s best receiver.
In 2017, Gilmore left the Buffalo Bills and signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the Patriots. In New England, Gilmore would raise his game from a Pro-Bowl corner to one of the best corners in the league.
Gilmore would play four seasons with the Patriots, recording 185 total tackles, 11 interceptions, 52 pass deflections, one sack, and three forced fumbles. During this time, Gilmore became the first cornerback to win the Defensive Player of the Year Award since Charles Woodson in 2009, played a key role in helping the Patriots win a Super Bowl, and was named to four Pro-Bowls and two First-team All-Pro selections.
After failing to reach a new contract agreement with the Patriots in 2021, Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers. Gilmore would bounce around from team to team over the following three years, playing for the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and the Vikings.
While Gilmore’s best days are behind him, he can still play meaningful snaps for a team. Although he shouldn’t be tasked with guarding the best opposing player, Gilmore can serve as a backup corner or potentially play as a safety with his ball-hawk ability.
If the Patriots have any more injuries to their secondary, they should give Gilmore a chance, considering their depth behind Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III has been underwhelming.