Patriots Send Gilmore To A Retirement State

In March of 2017 the Patriots signed cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a massive 5 year $70 Million dollar contract. Bills mafia rejoiced as he was basically a bust in Buffalo. However Bill Belichick did what he does and took a player being misused and made him good. Gilmore became a defensive player of the year under Belichick.

In 2020 there were calls to trade Gilmore. Some were in board with the idea, some weren't. It's unclear how Belichick felt or how the offers were for Gilmore. For whatever reason Bill Belichick didn't not trade him. In 2020 the Patriots signed former league MVP Cam Newton to play for the team. Many believed Bill thought that Cam would be good enough to plug in and run the Patriots offense. At the trade deadline the Patriots were still alive in the playoff hunt. Maybe Bill bought into the hype.

On Wednesday October 6th, 2021 the Patriots traded Stephon Gilmore to the Carolina Panthers after early reports said he was cut. Some think it was a year too late. However, if Gilmore turns out to be washed up, then getting anything for Gilmore is a win for the Patriots. Sure it's not as big of a win as netting a second or third round pick but a win is a win.

Gilmore has been out since he got injured last season. He's sure to be a bit rusty, maybe even Hightower rusty. So his decline might be a false positive. We'll have to wait and see what Gilmore looks like over this season and the 2022 season to be sure. Personally I wanted Gilmore to retire a Patriots corner but with his asking price, that was unrealistic.

At least Malcolm Butler played his final year knowing he was gone. Gilmore leaves the Patriots borderline Levon Bell territory. He could've practiced this offseason but chose not to. His getting put on I.R. was on him just as much as it was on the Patriots. What a sad way to end a once respectable Patriots career. Best of luck in Carolina, And in the words of my good friend Ray, "Thank you but you're no longer a Patriot, so F*$@ you!"