The New England Patriots have released one of the best defensive players in the NFL, Stephon Gilmore, in a move that is likely to alert several Super Bowl contenders.
ESPN initially reported the news before the 31-year-old confirmed the news in a tweet on Wednesday morning. “We enjoyed so much success together and you have been an incredible inspiration for my individual achievements,” Gilmore wrote. “… To [team owner] Mr Kraft, the coaches, and the organization thank you for providing me with this platform and allowing me to be part of greatness. Most of all I want to thank my teammates who lined up next to me every Sunday with one goal in mind.”
The Patriots are jut $54,000 under the league’s salary cap and were attempting to restructure the cornerback’s contract, which is due to expire at the end of the season. The 31-year-old is sidelined with a quad injury but is due to come back after week six of the season.
He won the 2019 defensive player of the year, has been a Pro Bowler for the last three seasons and is likely to be in demand from the likes of the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs and the reigning Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are in desperate need of help at cornerback. If Gilmore joins the Buccaneers, he will be reunited with Tom Brady with whom he won Super Bowl LIII when they were both at the Patriots.