The Green Bay Packers have been unusually active in free agency, but they might still sign an experienced player like Stephon Gilmore, a 33-year-old cornerback.
Cem Yolbulan with Dairyland Express suggests some free agent options that are still available and would make sense for the Packers. All mentioned players happen to be Super Bowl champions, including offensive tackle Donovan Smith and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The most significant free agent mentioned was Gilmore, who Yolbulan thinks could benefit both parties with a short-term deal.
“A one-year veteran signing would do wonders for this team on the opposite side of Alexander,” Yolbulan wrote. “And Stephon Gilmore might be the best option available right now.”
The Packers Nearly Traded For Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore may appear as a surprising free agent target for some Packers fans, but it wasn’t that long ago that general manager Brian Gutekunst tried to sign the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year.
After rumors of him being released by the New England Patriots in 2021, Gilmore expressed that he wanted to play for the Packers. Unfortunately, due to salary cap constraints, the Packers were unable to get a deal done, resulting in the Carolina Panthers trading a sixth-round pick for the star cornerback.
Gilmore has moved between teams since that trade. He played just one season with the Panthers before joining the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, only to be traded to the Dallas Cowboys a year later.
Now, Gilmore is a free agent again, but has not yet found a team despite free agency being open for almost a month. His achievements include a Super Bowl ring, two first-team All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowl appearances, and being the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 after leading the league with six interceptions and 20 pass breakups.
At 33 years old, Gilmore’s prime playing time is probably in the past. However, he could still provide veteran leadership in a locker room that is filled with young and inexperienced players (outside of Jaire Alexander) at the cornerback position.
Other Cornerback Options for Green Bay
The Packers could pursue a veteran like Gilmore, but it might be a better long-term strategy to continue the youth movement on both sides of the ball.
General manager Brian Gutekunst has focused on Green Bay’s secondary this offseason. Along with re-signing Keisean Nixon as a slot corner and return specialist, the Packers made one of their biggest free agent splashes in years by signing Xavier McKinney to a for a four-year, $68 million deal..
However, the Packers don’t seem to be finished yet. The team has arranged multiple top-30 visits with cornerback prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Names include Florida State slot corner Jerrian Jones and Maryland defensive back Ja’Quan Sheppard.
Mock drafts also indicate that the Packers may choose a cornerback prospect as early as the first round. Iowa defensive back Cooper DeJean continues to be one of the top players projected to the Packers with the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft.
If the Packers don’t end up selecting a corner, it would still be sensible to consider a veteran like Gilmore.
