The New England Patriots have announced that they have released 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. New England was attempting to trade him in the last year of his contract, but couldn’t find the right trade partner. Head Coach Bill Belichick said today that both sides agreed to mutually part ways. It was pretty clear that after this season that this would happen, so instead they decided to do it now and clear some cap space.
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
Patriots were roughly $54,000 under the salary cap, needed to clear cap space and now will find themselves with an additional $5.8 million. Stephon Gilmore was in the last year of his contract, so New England doesn’t owe him any more money.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021
Once Gilmore hits the open free agent market he is expected to have many interested teams. The talented cornerback is largely considered a top-three cornerback in the NFL. He is also expected to be healthy and able to contribute fairly soon. There will likely be teams bidding on his services and he will have his pick of contenders to sign with. The Patriots will move on with other players and free up some cap space in case they need it later this year.
Stephon Gilmore’s goodbye to New England: pic.twitter.com/baYGOVXrVA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021
Stephon Gilmore has had a fantastic career so far in the NFL. He is a former Defensive Player of the Year, a four-time pro bowler, a two-time All-Pro team member, and a one-time Super Bowl Champion. We here at Def Pen Sports will update you when Gilmore signs with a new team.
*Since the release of this article the Patriots changed course and traded Gilmore to the Carolina Panthers. Check out the NFL section on Def Pen Sports for more on that story*
