Former Cowboys Cornerback Stephon Gilmore On Being Unsigned: 'I'm Still a Starter'
✓ Link copied to clipboard!
Former Dallas Cowboys and longtime NFL cornerback Stephon Gilmore is among the most head-scratching free agents on the market right now. Though he has played for multiple teams in his career, Gilmore is still a Super Bowl champion, Defensive Player of the Year, two-time First-team All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler.
More news: Lions' Amon-Ra St. Brown Slams Cowboys DB, Who Responds
Gilmore most recently spent the 2023 season with the Cowboys, where he secured two interceptions, 13 passes defended, one forced fumble, and 68 tackles. He still remains a high-level talent in the secondary, but he has yet to find a team.
Gilmore aired his frustrations with the NFL to longtime inside Josina Anderson.
Free agent CB Stephon Gilmore with the latest on his status to me on the phone:
"There are still some good corners and safeties out there like Justin Simmons and myself that are still not signed. Honestly, I’m still being patient and staying ready until teams see what they have… pic.twitter.com/JeVCrlLICv
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) July 16, 2024Gilmore spoke to Anderson on the phone, stating:
"There are still some good corners and safeties out there like Justin Simmons and myself that are still not signed. 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, we got a while."
It is understandable that Gilmore, 33, would be a bit frustrated considering there are generally two starting cornerbacks per NFL team — meaning there are 64 starters that teams feel are more suited to defend the passing game over a former Super Bowl champion.
Gilmore is indicating he's going to remain ready for whichever team happens to call him. Injuries are inevitable, an unfortunate aspect of every NFL season. The fast pace and violent nature of the sport also lead to injuries that run the spectrum from minor to season-ending. These injuries will lead to most NFL teams addressing roster holes with free agents.
Training camp is also a week away for most teams, ushering in new and young talent to train. Should teams that drafted secondary players realize said players are not going to be ready, Gilmore is likely to get a call.
Another scenario that could work out in favor of Gilmore involves teams set to make a playoff push. Though it is doubtful Gilmore won't be signed by the time the end of the season is looming, he could be picked up to help out the secondary of a team hoping to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
");jQuery(this).remove()}) jQuery('.start-slider').owlCarousel({loop:!1,margin:10,nav:!0,items:1}).on('changed.owl.carousel',function(event){var currentItem=event.item.index;var totalItems=event.item.count;if(currentItem===0){jQuery('.owl-prev').addClass('disabled')}else{jQuery('.owl-prev').removeClass('disabled')} if(currentItem===totalItems-1){jQuery('.owl-next').addClass('disabled')}else{jQuery('.owl-next').removeClass('disabled')}})}})})ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7r7HWrK6enZtjsLC5jqynqKqkqHyvsstonaiqnZq%2Fbq%2FOsJmosaNisKN50q2cqaCfo3qotcumpqudXZeyqrrGZqynq5mcu6awjKKkZquknrmtedKtmKuslad6coWRbnBybA%3D%3D