Carolina Panthers acquire All-Pro corner from Patriots

The Carolina Panthers struck a deal with the New England Patriots for star cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Today, the Patriots announced they would release Gilmore. However, the Panther swooped in prior to the 4 PM EST deadline, when Gilmore would’ve became a free agent.

“Stephon Gilmore is coming home,” the Panthers wrote in a release following the move. “The Panthers traded for the veteran cornerback Wednesday, sending a 2023 sixth-rounder to New England.”

Now, the potential the Panthers secondary possesses is unlimited. In addition to Gilmore, the Panthers have two former top-10 picks on the outside — Jaycee Horn and C.J. Henderson.

Gilmore and the Patriots decided to end their relationship when they couldn’t come to an agreement on a restructured contract. Evidently, Gilmore’s contract wasn’t a problem for the Panthers.

They didn’t want to chance the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year hitting the open market. Now, Gilmore is back home in the Carolinas.

Stephon Gilmore: Traded to Carolina

Originally, the New England Patriots planned to release their star defensive back in a stunning early morning move, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

“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,” tweeted Schefter.

Schefter mentioned that the move was motivated due to contract concerns, tweeting the two sides “could not agree to terms on a restructured contract and now the two sides are going their own ways.”

“Patriots were roughly $54,000 under the cap and needed financial flexibility, which this move impacts. Gilmore had a $7 million base salary this season in what is the final season of his expiring contract,” added Schefter.

Schefter mentioned many teams were expected to have interest, and the market would be robust. Evidently, the Panthers won out.

Gilmore was drafted by the Buffalo Bills, but left for New England via free agency in 2017. On Bill Belichick’s squad, he blossomed into the league’s top cornerback. Moreover, he won a Super Bowl and was recognized as the best defensive player in the entire league.

Now, the 3-1 Panthers will get a gigantic boost to their roster.