In the midst of free agency, the Carolina Panthers are reportedly considering getting back together with former CB Stephon Gilmore. Carolina reporter Joseph Person reports that the Panthers had made contact with the Cowboys free agent to inquire about his interest in coming back.
Gilmore is regarded as one of the top free agents available this year, despite his advanced age. In eight games during his one-season with the Panthers in 2021, he recorded 16 tackles and two interceptions. He tore his pectoral muscle at the conclusion of 2020, and he was placed on the PUP list for the start of the 2021 season.
The 33-year-old’s value to the Cowboys increased dramatically after Trevon Diggs suffered an ACL tear last summer when they acquired him from the Indianapolis Colts. For the first time since winning the AP Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019 while playing for the New England Patriots, Gilmore dressed for every game. 68 tackles (54 solo), two interceptions, 13 passes defensed, one forced fumble, and two interceptions were all career highs for him. Gilmore’s overall grade was 74.4, per Pro Football Focus.
He has played for five different clubs in his 12 years in the league: the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and Cowboys. He’s received two first-team All-Pro selections, five Pro Bowl nominations, and one Super Bowl victory. Gilmore was selected by the Bills in the first round of the 2012 draft. He was taken out of South Carolina with the 10th overall pick.
He signed a two-year, $20 million contract with the Colts in his last agreement. His $65 million five-year contract was the largest deal of his career.
The NFL 2024 season kicks off on March 13 at 4 p.m. ET. The players’ contracts, which were set to expire in 2023, will then formally expire, leaving them free agents. Teams will be able to designate one franchise or transition tag player prior to the start of free agency. This window will open on February 20 at 4 p.m. ET and close on March 5. Teams may begin legal negotiations with players who will become unrestricted free agents from March 11 until March 13.
The start of all trades being officially confirmed by the league office coincides with NFL free agency. The deadline for signing restricted free agents to offer sheets is April 19. The cutoff date for teams to match restricted free agent offer sheets is April 24. The restricted free agency deadline is followed by the April 25–27, 2024 NFL Draft.
