Stephon Gilmore insists he's still a starter as he remains in free agency ahead of training camp

As his former teams prepare to begin training camp this week, cornerback Stephon Gilmore remains a free agent. The one-time Cowboys starter entered free agency following his season-long stint in Dallas and appeared close to re-signing with the Carolina Panthers, but no deal has materialized.

This week, Gilmore opened up about his desire to not only play again, but also to start again, during the 2024 season. All he needs is the right opportunity.

“There are still some good corners and safeties out there like Justin Simmons and myself that are still not signed,” Gilmore told reporter Josina Anderson. “Honestly, I’m still being patient and staying ready until teams see what they have in training camp. But you mean to tell me among 32 teams that there are 64 starting corners that are better than me? I don’t think that.

“If teams want to win, I think they should sign the best players. I know I’m still a starter in this league. I started games last year, but the season doesn’t start until September, so we’ve got a while.”

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 last season, earning a 74.4 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. With Diggs returning from his ACL rehab in time for training camp and DaRon Bland having a historic season last year, the team decided not to re-sign Gilmore for another year but that doesn’t mean he won’t have a new home shortly. He is just one injury away from finding a roster spot opened for him, and maybe even a starting job.

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.”

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.