Former Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore shares update in free agency
Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore opened up this week about his ongoing search for a team for the 2024 season. Gilmore’s contract with Dallas expired in March, and despite looks from various teams, including his former team, the Carolina Panthers, the veteran remains unsigned as rookie minicamps continue across the league. The former All-pro spoke to reporter Josina Anderson on Thursday about his situation.
“I’m still focused on playing, but it has to be the right opportunity,” Gilmore said. “I feel like it’s the age thing with some of these teams. If I was 28, I would already have been signed by now; at the same time, I know the value I still bring. If you watch the tape, I feel like I played well the last two years, and literally almost played every snap last year.
“So I’m staying patient, while watching my son who’s a wide receiver and cornerback lock people up on the field with his defensive back skills too.”
The Cowboys acquired the 33-year-old from the Indianapolis Colts last offseason and his importance to the team sky-rocketed following Trevon Diggs‘ ACL tear. Gilmore suited up in every game for the first time since his AP Defensive Player of the Year-winning campaign in 2019 when he was a member of the New England Patriots.
He tallied a career-high 68 tackles (54 solo), two interceptions, 13 passes defensed and one forced fumble. Gilmore earned a 74.4 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus.
Gilmore searching for new team for 13th season
In his 12 seasons in the league, Gilmore has played for five different teams – the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts and Cowboys. He’s won one Super Bowl, earned five Pro Bowl nominations and two first-team All-Pro honors. Gilmore was a first-round draft pick for the Bills in 2012. They took him No. 10 overall out of South Carolina.
His last deal, which he signed with the Colts, was for two years, $20 million. The biggest deal of his career was a five-year contract, which paid him $65 million.
When the offseason hit and Gilmore’s contract expired, he told reporters he would like to return to the Cowboys for 2024.
“I want to come back,” Gilmore told 96.7 The Ticket. “But that’s the goal. Because I think we do have the pieces to get to where we want to go. And I want to be part of that.”