ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore officially signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s the latest transaction in what has been a busy offseason for a team that should have made last year’s playoffs.
Unfortunately, lapses on both sides of the ball pushed them out of the AFC postseason picture despite having two opportunities to clinch a berth.
Gilmore gained interest from the Buffalo Bills and Super Bowl LVI champions Los Angeles Rams.
But the former South Carolina standout shared the determining factor for joining Indianapolis.
New Colts CB Stephon Gilmore, asked what sealed it for him: "The visit last week… I think the future here is bright."
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) April 18, 2022
The Athletic’s Zak Keefer shared that Gilmore saw that the Colts’ future is bright after visiting the team’s facility.
In that case, could that statement be a hint that he’d like to stay longer than two years?
At 31 years old, he may have a few seasons left after his current contract expires.
It’s rare to see cornerbacks getting better as they age, and it remains to be seen if Gilmore is an outlier.
Whether he beats Father Time sooner or later, he might be looking to wrap up his stellar NFL career with Indianapolis.
Aside from helping the Colts win a championship, he will also serve as a mentor for younger players like fellow cornerback Isaiah Rodgers, who is willing to learn from the two-time First-Team All-Pro selection.
A Young But Proven Defensive Core
The Colts defense has shown much promise despite having a young core.
All-Pro defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is 28 years old, while linebacker Darius Leonard is 26.
Rodgers is 24, and sensational defensive end Kwity Paye is 23 years old.
Indianapolis also has 25-year-old Bobby Okereke, 26-year-old Kenny Moore, 27-year-old Yannick Ngakoue, and 25-year-old Khari Willis.
They could be an elite unit, especially if they absorb much wisdom from veterans Gilmore and Rodney McLeod.
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