The Patriots entered the offseason with a lot of money to spend on free agents, but it’s becoming clear that having money doesn't matter if no one wants to join the team. After former coach Bill Belichick, the Patriots are realizing that they have a long way to go before players will accept their payments.
This team lost out in trying to sign receiver Calvin Ridley to the weaker Titans. That's a good indicator of their standing.
However, there is still money available and a small group of players who need jobs. The Patriots have over $50 million, as reported by OverTheCap.com, which is the most in the NFL. They will need to keep some for the draft picks and stay flexible for potential trades, but they have plenty of money.
An article on NFL.com, titled “Best NFL team fits for notable remaining free agents: Stephon Gilmore to Patriots? OBJ back to L.A.?” suggests that the rebuilding Patriots should do something uncommon with their remaining money—sign veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore, a former Patriot (2017-20) with five Pro Bowl appearances and 12 NFL seasons.
Patriots Could Benefit From Experienced Leadership
Gilmore, at 33, is recovering from a shoulder injury that required surgery last season. Nonetheless, there is a argument for the Patriots to offer him a contract.
As According to Nick Shook of NFL.com, Gilmore is still a skilled corner and allowed a passer rating of 82.7 on balls thrown his way. Beyond his playing ability, Gilmore can provide veteran leadership for the Patriots’ young players and be a trusted presence for the team’s coaches, many of whom he knows or played with.
“New England would be a good fit because of what he could offer to his former team, with the familiarity of defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington (a former assistant while Gilmore was there) and past teammate, Dont’a Hightower, who will serve under coach Jerod Mayo as inside linebackers coach,” he mentioned.
“Gilmore could share his years of NFL experience with up-and-coming player Christian Gonzalez, who the Patriots see as the next great New England cornerback. Who better to guide him than Gilmore, who won the Defensive Player of the Year award in New England in 2019? The only downside to this partnership: It likely won’t include a pursuit for a championship.”
Stephon Gilmore Might Be Trade Asset
If Gilmore can be convinced to take on the role of a veteran leader, he would make sense for the Patriots, especially since it would only require a one-year commitment. Additionally, the Patriots could potentially trade him at the October trading deadline if he wants to leave and there's interest from another team.
Gilmore previously earned $20 million over two years from a contract with the Colts. According to Spotrac, he has a market value of $11.4 million for a one-year deal.
Considering his age, that seems reasonable. However, given the market conditions, he might end up having to sign a discounted deal with a contender.
Pro Football Focus predicts a Gilmore contract for one year, $10 million. The website summarized his qualifications as a free agent:
“Gilmore’s move from the Indianapolis Colts to the Dallas Cowboys this year brought him back to competitive football, and he has performed consistently well as he has changed teams over the last few years. Gilmore still excels in one-on-one coverage and can compete against the more physical receivers who thrive on contact, timing his jumps well for contested catches and identifying plays with top-notch recognition.”