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Stephon Gilmore Contract Situation Might Force Patriots to Resort to Drastic Roster Measures With Major Implications for the Regular Season

The New England Patriots have been forced to place Stephon Gilmore on the trading block due to a contract dispute. The Miami Dolphins are rumored to be interested in acquiring him, but there are also reports that the Cleveland Browns may be willing to trade for the cornerback.

The stephon gilmore is a major topic that the New England Patriots might have to deal with this season. Stephon Gilmore’s contract situation might force them to resort to drastic roster measures with major implications for the regular season.

Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots is in the middle of one of the quietest contract holdouts in NFL history, but the Pats will have to clarify his position on the current roster shortly.

Gilmore is in Patriots camp, but hasn’t practiced or played because he’s negotiating a new deal. Either New England contracts the former Defensive Player of the Year to a new contract, or Gilmore will be placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and will miss the first six weeks of the 2021 season.

Even though it’s unclear if Stephon Gilmore is really hurt, the Patriots have him listed as “day-to-day.”

Stephon Gilmore is “day to day” as he works his way back off the PUP list, according to Bill Belichick.

“He’ll be ready when he’s ready.” pic.twitter.com/kPl0LJWkKo

— August 23, 2021, Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN)

When reporters asked about Gilmore’s condition on Monday, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick had a repetitive message for them: he’ll be back when he’s back. In this instance, that basically means nothing.

The nature of Gilmore’s alleged “injury” has not been revealed by New England. Gilmore has been listed as “day-to-day” by Belichick for many weeks. The top cornerback is more than likely respectfully refusing to engage in football activities until the terms of a new deal are ironed out.

Gilmore is nearing the end of his present contract and has been looking for new work for some time. Earlier this offseason, there were rumors that the Patriots were still interested in moving him, but nothing came of it.

The contract issue of Stephon Gilmore, on the other hand, cannot be ignored or postponed for much longer. The Patriots must come to an agreement or accept the fact that they will be without their best cornerback for a significant portion of the regular season.

If Gilmore is put on the regular season PUP list, he may miss the first six weeks of the season.

Mike Pellegrino, CBs coach, on Stephon Gilmore: “I won’t comment on his injuries, but I will say that his contribution to the building has been outstanding. Last meeting, I made a joke about him becoming Coach Steph. Working with the men, being in the room, and talking with them has been fantastic.”

August 22, 2021 — Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss)

Over the course of the next week and a half, the Patriots must trim their roster from 80 to 53 men. In the case of Stephon Gilmore, this might be a major factor.

If the 30-year-old wants to play, all he has to do now is pass a physical and join the active roster. If the contract takes precedence and Gilmore continues to refuse to sign, New England may be compelled to place him on the PUP list to begin the regular season.

For the Patriots, the latter situation might be hazardous. Players on the PUP list at the start of the regular season are required to sit out the first six weeks. As a result, New England may deprive their secondary of a crucial lockdown corner for Belichick’s defense.

Gilmore is getting older and is coming off a quad injury that needed surgery in December, but from 2018 to 2020, he was one of the best corners in the NFL. In 2018, he was selected All-Pro, and in 2019, he was crowned Defensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL in interceptions (6) and passes defended (20).

In 11 games last season, Gilmore only had one interception and three passes defensed, but he limited opposing quarterbacks to a completion percentage of under 58 percent and only allowed one score in coverage. He’s still as good a lockdown corner as any in the league, and a key member of the Patriots’ roster.

New England is keeping a low profile when it comes to contract negotiations.

Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore stands on the field during a game in December

Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore stands on the field during a game in December Stephon Gilmore’s issue should be addressed in the next few weeks, one way or another | Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images

In terms of Stephon Gilmore’s contract talks, Patriots fans may be in the dark. That’s because New England isn’t saying anything about how far along those talks are.

On the one hand, Gilmore does not seem enraged or irritated with the squad. He’s working behind the scenes at the team’s facilities. This may just be a sign that Gilmore is a consummate professional.

Although Patriots supporters may not want to acknowledge it, it’s conceivable that Gilmore is secretly frustrated. Despite the fact that his statistics and awards indicate that he is one of the best corners in the league, New England will not commit any additional money to him.

For the Patriots, the next several weeks are crucial. By negotiating the parameters of a new deal, they can almost certainly guarantee Gilmore will be on the field at or around the start of the regular season. Otherwise, New England may be without a standout corner in the early stages of the season.

Pro Football Reference provided the statistics.

Mac Jones is putting a lot of pressure on Bill Belichick to name him the starting quarterback.

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