It appears Dallas Cowboys free agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore is interested in a reunion with one of his former teams this offseason.
While Gilmore’s preference is to return to Dallas, he remains “open to all options” in free agency, including a reunion with the New England Patriots, according to MassLive’s Karen Guregian.
Gilmore said last month during an appearance on 96.7 The Ticket that his “goal” was to return to remain with the Cowboys in free agency.
“I want to come back,” Gilmore said. “We can’t talk until March. But that’s the goal, because I think we do have the pieces to get to where we want to go, and I want to be part of that.”
The Patriots have a strong defensive unit as a whole, but they need an upgrade at cornerback entering the 2024 season.
New England released J.C. Jackson earlier this month to free up $13.5 million in cap space. While ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported last week that the two sides have mutual interest in a reunion, nothing is guaranteed.
The Patriots also lost safeties Jalen Mills and Adrian Phillips this offseason, making their secondary rather weak.
New England is currently set to enter the 2024 campaign with a secondary highlighted by cornerbacks Marcus Jones, Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones and safeties Kyle Dugger and Jabrill Peppers.
While Gilmore will be entering his age 34 season, his impact in New England would go beyond just making plays on the football field. He would be a solid mentor for the team’s young cornerback room.
Gilmore is coming off a 2023 season with the Cowboys in which he posted respectable numbers with two interceptions, 13 passes defended, one forced fumble and 68 tackles in 17 games.
Prior to joining America’s Team, he suited up for the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and Indianapolis Colts in 2022.
Gilmore spent four seasons with the Patriots from 2017-2020, earning the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award, three Pro Bowl selections and two First Team All-Pro nods. He won a Super Bowl in New England in 2019.
