The National Football League is fast approaching. However on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings made an intriguing signing as they came to terms with cornerback Stephon Gilmore of Rock Hill, South Carolina to a one-year deal worth $10 million according to Will Ragatz of Sports Illustrated.
Gilmore is joining his sixth NFL franchise. He was previously with the Buffalo Bills for five seasons from 2012 to 2016, the New England Patriots for four seasons from 2017 to 2020, the Carolina Panthers in 2021, the Indianapolis Colts in 2022, and the Dallas Cowboys in 2023.
This past season in Dallas, Gilmore played in 17 games and had 68 combined tackles (54 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles), with two interceptions, 13 pass deflections and one forced fumble. The interceptions came in a 40-0 Cowboys win over the New York Giants on September 10 and in a 20-17 Cowboys win over the Los Angeles Chargers on October 16. The forced fumble came in a 33-13 Cowboys win over the Philadelphia Eagles on December 10.
Gilmore is a five-time Pro Bowler. He was honoured while with the Bills in 2016, the Patriots for three straight years from 2018 to 2020, and while with the Panthers in 2021.
While with the Patriots in 2019, Gilmore was also the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year. He led the NFL with six interceptions and 20 pass deflections, had 53 combined tackles (44 solo tackles and nine assisted tackles), 126 yards and two touchdowns from interceptions, and one fumble recovery. While with the Patriots, Gilmore won one Super Bowl. He was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LII, a 13-3 Patriots win over the Los Angeles Rams.
