The Patriots and Stephon Gilmore need to come to terms. With the NFL pre _season around the corner, time is running out. Currently, he is in the final year of a four-year deal. In this post, we will review three issues why Stephon Gilmore should be extended.
Creates Opportunity
Patriots fans know the importance of getting Stephon Gilmore re-signed. Gilmore is on the last year of a four_year deal. Injuries hindered him in 2020. In eleven games Gilmore had one interception.
Overall, the four_year Patriot has started in fifty_six games and has eleven interceptions. Getting Gilmore extended makes the Patriots that much better. With, all the new additions, resigning him is a priority.
Gilmore would provide depth in the defensive backfield. The team lost corner Jason McCourty in free agency. The Patriots have Devin McCourty, Johnathan Jones, Jalen Mills, Myles Turner, Kyle Duggar, Adrian Phillips, JoeJuan Williams under contract. With him signed, their defense would be a Super Bowl defense.
The Incentive Option
One resolution for the team to go in is the incentive option. this means that the organization would tack on money and lengthen his contract. Such was the case with former players Rob Gronkowski, Tom Brady, and Richard Seymour.
Given his age of thirty and a season_ ending injury in 2020, it comes down to his expectations. One scenario was Deion Branch. Branch held out for more money, which came down to him being traded to Seattle. One thing is for certain, they are better with him than without him.
Compared To Other Corners
In 2019, Stephon Gilmore was the best in football. However, Pro Football Focus Gilmore does not rank in the top 10. Compared to Jalen Ramsey of the Rams, Jaire Alexander of Green Bay, Travon Mullen of Las Vegas. Patriot corner JC Jackson does rank in the top 10. Given Gilmores age, he takes more snaps than Jackson and covers the opposition’s number one receiver. Jackson is younger and used in situational plays.
Conclusion
Having Stephon Gilmore resigned would make life a lot easier for Patriots fans, The team has fifteen million dollars left in cap space for the 2021 season. a healthy Stephon Gilmore is intimidating for NFL quarterbacks. I think in the end both sides will come to terms.