The New England Patriots made a shocking announcement by releasing cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
The 31-year-old defensive back joined the Patriots in 2017 after spending five seasons with the division rival Buffalo Bills.
A stunner: Patriots are releasing four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was eligible to come off the Physically Unable to Perform List after Week 6, source tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/31H8KQF8hq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021
Gilmore enjoyed team success in New England when the Patriots won Super Bowl LIII against the Los Angeles Rams.
He was part of the defense that limited the high-scoring Rams offense to three points and 198 total passing yards.
More importantly, he intercepted a Jared Goff pass to preserve the Patriots’ 10-3 lead with a little over four minutes left in the game.
Flashback to Super Bowl LIII: Stephon Gilmore makes the game sealing interception and the Patriots capture their SIXTH Super Bowl Ring 🏆🔥 pic.twitter.com/f2J5XLFp5o
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) December 8, 2020
However, he’s not just a one-time hero because of his accolades.
In 2019, the former South Carolina Gamecock led the league in interceptions with six and ran two for touchdowns.
He also won Defensive Player of the Year and gained his second First-team All-Pro selection in the same year.
Gilmore is a two-time All-Pro selection (both First-team) and a four-time Pro Bowl inclusion.
His exemplary play made it a no-brainer for the Patriots to name him to their 2010s All-Decade Team.
2019 coverage stats, per @pfref:
Jalen Ramsey-
-15/22 (68.2%)
-147 yards (6.7 per att)
-1:0 TD:INT
-101.9 passer ratingStephon Gilmore-
-16/34 (47.1%)
-194 yards (5.7 per att)
-0:2 TD:INT
-40.6 passer rating pic.twitter.com/nKaZu97YUR— Tucker Boynton (@Tucker_TnL) October 16, 2019
But the team placed him on the Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform List before the 2021 season due to a quad injury the previous year.
Everyone expected that he would join J.C. Jackson as starting cornerback whenever he recovered.
Instead, he will be moving on from his second NFL franchise and continuing his career elsewhere.
He did miss five games last season but still finished with 37 tackles, three passes defended, an interception, and a forced fumble.
The market for Stephon Gilmore, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, is expected to be robust. Multiple teams are expected to be interested, and the 31-year-old Gilmore should be recovered from his quad injury in the coming weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021
Therefore, Gilmore can still help any NFL team that will sign him despite the health risk.
These three teams must not waste time to acquire Gilmore because he still has much football left in him.
3. Dallas Cowboys
Trevon Diggs leads the league in interceptions through Week 4.
Despite that accomplishment, the Cowboys still rank 31st in pass defense, allowing 315.3 yards per game.
They allowed 301 yards to Sam Darnold, 326 to Jalen Hurts, 338 to Justin Herbert, and 379 to Tom Brady.
Teams are now aware that they must not take their chances against Diggs.
However, that leaves Anthony Brown or Jourdan Lewis vulnerable to long completions.
Getting Gilmore gives them a cover man who can shut down the other half of the field.
Having him addresses one of the weaknesses that can hinder their playoff aspirations.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The NFC West is arguably the toughest division in the NFL, but the Seahawks are holding their ground.
They are lucky to be 2-2 despite a pass defense that surrenders 292.5 yards per game.
In their two losses, Ryan Tannehill had 347 yards while Kirk Cousins finished with 323 and three touchdowns.
The Seahawks badly need help in the secondary because D.J. Reed and Sidney Jones IV are not living up to expectations.
Gilmore can help limit those yards, and Seattle can afford him, given their $11 million cap space.
It pays to have someone like him in a division with DeAndre Hopkins, Cooper Kupp, and Deebo Samuel.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the first two teams need an upgrade, the Buccaneers need anyone.
They signed Richard Sherman to a one-year deal because of their depleted depth chart.
Jamel Dean and Sean Murphy-Bunting were already unable to play before their Week 4 game against the Patriots.
Worse, Carlton Davis may also join them on injured reserve.
CB Carlton Davis exits game with a quad injury and will not return.
(via @theScoreBet) pic.twitter.com/notHBDBY6p
— theScore (@theScore) October 4, 2021
Having Gilmore will give the Buccaneers two cornerbacks who are over 30 years old.
But while their speed may be in question, their expertise may help improve Tampa Bay’s 32nd ranked pass defense this season.
NEXT: Ben Roethlisberger Is Holding The Steelers Back In 2021