Bart Scott discusses the Panthers' trade for Stephon Gilmore, and the Patriots' return of Jamie Collins. (1:40).
Stephon Gilmore was acquired by the Carolina Panthers in a deal with the New England Patriots. The Patriots were unable agree to a restructuring of the deal with the star cornerback.
According to a source, the Patriots originally planned to release Gilmore Wednesday. However, they traded Gilmore to Carolina for a sixth-round draft pick in 2023.
Before the announcement, Gilmore and Patriots coach Bill Belichick had each said their goodbyes publicly.
Gilmore posted on Twitter, "We had so much success together and have been an incredible inspiration to my individual achievements." "... I want to thank Mr. Kraft, my coaches and the organization for giving me this platform and allowing you to be part in greatness. My teammates were there to support me with one goal every Sunday.
Belichick described Gilmore as a "true professional" and a "class act", and stated that the decision to leave the cornerback was mutual.
Gilmore is currently recovering from surgery to repair a torn quad he suffered in December. He will be ready to play in the next weeks, but he cannot return to the physically unable list until Week 6.
In 2021, the Panthers are trying to fix secondary injuries. Jaycee Horn's broken foot could end his season. Carolina traded with Jacksonville Jaguars Sept. 27 for cornerback CJ Hale, who was only 18 minutes long during the Panthers' Week 4-loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
Gilmore could be reunited with his former team in Week 9, when the Panthers play the Patriots.
After signing a 5-year, $65m contract with the Patriots in 2017, the 31-year old player will earn $7 million as a base salary. He also received $5 million of his 2020 earnings. Gilmore will be paid $5.8 million by the Panthers over the remainder of the season.
Sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that Gilmore and the Panthers would be open to Gilmore playing out the last year of his contract. Although the sides could talk about an extension, the Panthers expect Gilmore will reach free agency. The cornerback would love that.
Gilmore's departure will give the Patriots, which were $54,000 below the salary cap, $5.8 million more cap space.
Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Players of the Year, skipped the Patriots' mandatory minicamp last June and publicly expressed dissatisfaction with his contract during this offseason. Last season, Gilmore had one interception. He missed 11 games due to a quad injury and a COVID-19 diagnosis.
J.C. Jackson, Jalen Mills and Jalen Gilmore have been the Patriots' starting cornerbacks. Jonathan Jones is the top option in that slot.
Gilmore was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It is approximately 26 miles from Carolina’s current headquarters. Within the next two-years, the Panthers will move their headquarters to Rock Hill.
This report was contributed by Mike Reiss from ESPN and The Associated Press.
