The New England Patriots have quickly established themselves among the league's best stories early in the 2025 season. Sitting at 5-2 first in the AFC East, there is zero question that the franchise will be considered a buyer at the upcoming Nov. 4 NFL trade deadline.
Looking at positions of need, the Patriots' defensive back situation stands out. Safeties Kyle Dugger and Craig Woodson are banged up at the moment, while cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. is still on injured reserve, highlighting New England's need for some extra DB depth in the coming weeks.
With that in mind, the Patriots shouldn't consider making a move using their assets to bring in an impact edge rusher. This is driven home by the fact that the perfect final piece remains sitting in free agency.
Patriots Should Reunite with Stephon Gilmore Over a DB Trade
Former Pats corner and Super Bowl champ Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent waiting for the right landing spot. It seems that the veteran is content sitting out the first half of the season and choosing a contender who needs his contributions and hands the defender a chance to make another deep run.
It is the perfect move for the Patriots, saving their trade assets for other positions of need while giving you a great chance to improve in the secondary. Not only this, but Gilmore has an elite history in New England, helping the Pats win a Super Bowl at the end of the Tom Brady era. Now, the veteran DB can return in a far different role and still play and still be an incredibly important piece of a contending organization.
Even if Gilmore isn't able to turn back the clock, the front office would be bringing in a champion and emotional leader for a young locker room. As great as the Patriots have been, there is a lack of experience for a roster that has leaped far ahead of its expected timeline. It couldn't hurt to borrow from the past, bringing in a potential contributor and known leader.
The Patriots would not be asking Gilmore to turn back the clock and be among the league's best corners. Rather, they simply need a rotational piece who is capable of filling a myriad of roles and helping New England's young defensive backs continue to develop.
The ex-Patriot also wasn't that bad with the Minnesota Vikings last season:
- Games Played: 15
- Completions Allowed: 55-of-82 (67.1%)
- Passing Yards Allowed: 229
- Passing Touchdowns Allowed: 5
- Passer Rating Allowed: 100.6
- Intercaptions: 1
- Pass Break-Ups: 8
- Pro Football Focus Coverage Grade: 60.4
Although far from his best performance, those numbers are good enough to hold down a depth role down the stretch.
Gilmore has a chance to step into the starting lineup if Christian Gonzalez continues to struggle to stay healthy or regresses. They're not adding a player who is going to demand snaps or make waves at this point in the season. It is the absolute best case scenario: signing a proven champion familiar with the organization without shaking up the recent success they've found defensively.
For Gilmore, the reasons to sign with New England are obvious based on the emotional ties and the chance to contribute to a surprise contender. The move simply makes far too much sense for both sides not to happen.