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Stephon Gilmore’s message to teams during ongoing free agency

Originally posted on ClutchPoints | By Brian Buyawe | Last updated 5/9/24

Fresh off a campaign with the Dallas Cowboys, Stephon Gilmore is currently a free agent. Despite a productive season, one that saw him start all 18 games (playoffs included), the cornerback has yet to be picked up by a team. His age may have something to do with it. Gilmore is already 33 years old, and he’ll be a year older by the time the 2024 season begins. Still, the vet knows he’s far from done. Speaking with insider Josina Anderson, Gilmore made it clear that he’s still “focused on playing,” while sharing his thoughts on how NFL teams view aging players.

“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,” he added.

Just got off the phone with free agent CB Stephon Gilmore discussing his pending decision:

"I’m still focused on playing, but it has to be the right opportunity. 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… pic.twitter.com/7tzyLxpkAr

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) May 9, 2024

Stephon Gilmore through the years

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) warms up before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium © Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Last year, Gilmore tallied 68 combined tackles (54 solo), 13 passes defended, two interceptions and a forced fumble during the regular season. He added five more tackles (four solo) in the Cowboys’ Wild Card appearance.

For anyone who’s followed football closely in the past decade, he would know that Gilmore’s best years were with the New England Patriots. The defensive back won a Super Bowl with Tom Brady in the 2018-19 season. Gilmore started in all of the Patriots’ games during their title run, making many big plays such as his late interception on Jared Goff during Super Bowl LIII.

The following season (2019-20), Gilmore won the Defensive Player of the Year award. In 16 regular-season games, he tallied 53 combined tackles (44 solo) while leading the league in passes defended (20) and interceptions (6). Gilmore also managed to score two returned touchdowns off of interceptions.

He may have suited up for three different teams in the past three seasons, but whenever he’s healthy, Stephon Gilmore is a starting cornerback. Throughout his career, the defensive back has started in 158 out of 165 regular-season games. Additionally, he’s never played off the bench in the postseason.

Suiting up for the Cowboys last year, Gilmore played the second season of a two-year, $20 million contract he signed with the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. The Colts shipped the defensive back to Dallas after a year. Could Gilmore be holding out because teams are offering short-term deals? Is he waiting for a more lucrative offer? Who knows — he’s not said anything of the sort. Nevertheless, it’s safe to say that whichever team lands him will be getting a highly-experienced vet who can still make an impact on the field.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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