By 2022, Stephon Gilmore might be be ready to be a top cover cornerback again.
The New England Patriots were officially eliminated from the AFC playoff picture on Sunday. Now, they’ll be without a key defender the remainder of the season.
Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore suffered a partially torn quad in Sunday’s loss to the Miami Dolphins, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He will undergo surgery and will miss the final two games of the regular season.
One year removed from being named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore’s season has been shaky. Decent coverage and a drop-off in numbers might indicate age is catching up to him. The Pro Bowl defender still is talented but is entering the back end of his strong career.
While Gilmore’s season is over, the positive news is he’s expected to make a full recovery for next season. Now the question will be if he will remain in New England next season. Entering a contract year, the Patriots are expected to owe $7 million in base salary.
That might be enough to cut him loose.
In 2021 or 2022, Gilmore has the skills to still be a solid secondary cornerback. Who should be wise enough to bring him on their roster?
Which teams should be interested in signing Stephon Gilmore?
3.
New England Patriots
AFC East
This is all about pricing, and if he’s hoping to remain in Foxborough, this would be a bargain deal. The Patriots will have to decide what their plans are under center and who is not a part of their long-term goals in a lost season.
Still, Gilmore’s 2019 season is one fans can’t ignore. On his way to near-MVP honors, the 30-year-old had a league-leading 20 passes defended and six interceptions.
J.C. Jackson has taken over as the new leading man in the secondary with eight interceptions on the year. Johnathan Jones is a quality No. 3 option, but can he transition into the No. 2 role?
For the right price, the Patriots can keep the secondary together for another season and build a unit that will make the questionable offense at least serviceable for a year.