Former Minnesota Vikings defender makes a crucial decision about his NFL future

Former Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore announces his retirement from the NFL at the age of 35 years old. He played for the Vikings in 2024 after playing two seasons for Brian Flores previously.

Tyler Forness — NFL & College Football News Writer
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Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium.
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After a disastrous series of events in the 2024 offseason at the cornerback position, the Minnesota Vikings pivoted to the free agency pool. With the loss of Mekhi Blackmon to a torn ACL and Khyree Jackson to a tragic car accident, they needed a starting caliber cornerbacks.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores called an old friend in Stephon Gilmore, who played for him in 2017 and 2018 with the New England Patriots. Those saw Gilmore emerge into one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL, including being a first-team All-Pro.

Stephon Gilmore decides to retire

On Thursday afternoon, Gilmore took to social media to announce his retirement from the NFL.

Gilmore played 13 seasons in the NFL for six different teams. The Buffalo Bills selected him 10th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft and spent five seasons with the team. He then signed a large contract with the New England Patriots and won a Super Bowl in 2018. They traded him to the Carolina Panthers after the 2020 season, where he spent one season with four different teams, finishing with the Vikings in 2024.

That season was a good one for Gilmore and the Vikings. He played in 15 games and proved to be a solid cornerback, securing one interception, which secured the Vikings a victory against the New York Jets in London.

In his excellent career with five Pro Bowls and two All-Pros, Gilmore had 32 interceptions with eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries. He leaves the NFL with a realistic chance to earn a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but Gilmore may have to wait a while.

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