As training camps continue around the NFL, the New England Patriots just learned that they'll be without a key defender for the upcoming campaign.
The Patriots revealed on Tuesday that second-year cornerback Marcellas Dial Jr. has suffered a season-ending ACL tear. While his injury would be bad enough in a vacuum, Dial's situation is made worse by the fact that fellow CBs Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis III are banged up at the moment, leaving a gaping hole in New England's secondary.
Replacing Dial won't be easy, especially after he played all 17 games last season. While free agency is quite bare at this stage of the offseason, there are still some available veteran CBs who could help fill Dial's void, including one whom Patriots fans are more than familiar with.
Patriots Must Reunite with CB Stephon Gilmore After Marcellas Dial Injury News
If the Patriots want to fill Dial's spot with an experienced name, a reunion with long-time CB Stephon Gilmore makes a ton of sense. The 34-year-old disruptor said last month that he believes he can still make an impact at this stage of his NFL career, and what better place to do that than where he spent some of his best seasons?
Drafted 10th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2012, Gilmore spent five seasons and one Pro Bowl appearance with the Patriots' AFC East rivals before moving to Foxborough on a five-year contract in March 2017.
Gilmore went on to make 56 starts in a Pats jersey, racking up 161 solo tackles, 52 broken-up passes, 11 interceptions (2 Pick-6s), and three forced fumbles. Not only that, but he even amassed three more Pro Bowl nods and two All-Pro first-team appearances, as well as 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and a Super Bowl LIII ring.
Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers during the 2021 campaign and has since enjoyed year-long stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings. Although none of those runs yielded accolades like the ones he amassed with the Patriots, he recorded a Pro Football Focus coverage grade of 69.3 or better in three of the last four seasons.
Gilmore has also previously left the door open regarding a Pats return. Before joining the Vikings last summer, the ex-South Carolina Gamecock told Barstool Sports that "you never know" about the idea of returning to New England, and he even commented "This tough" on a picture of Davis and Gonzalez that the Patriots posted earlier this offseason.
At the end of the day, there isn't a big risk that comes with signing Gilmore. The Patriots' CB room is in dire need of another warm body, and chances are that Gilmore will only command a cheap 'prove-yourself' contract at this stage of the offseason. With over $59.2 million in cap space remaining, per Spotrac, New England can certainly afford the reunion.