Cowboys Reportedly Outbid Patriots in Trade Involving Former DPOY
The Patriots nearly brought back a fan favorite this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys reportedly had to outbid the New England Patriots to acquire the 2019 Defensive Player of The Year, Stephon Gilmore, this past offseason, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. In the end, the Patriots fell short, with the Indianapolis Colts sending him to […]
The Patriots nearly brought back a fan favorite this offseason. The Dallas Cowboys reportedly had to outbid the New England Patriots to acquire the 2019 Defensive Player of The Year, Stephon Gilmore, this past offseason, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. In the end, the Patriots fell short, with the Indianapolis Colts sending him to the Cowboys in exchange for a 2023 fifth-round draft selection.
Gilmore spent his first five years in Buffalo, where he established himself as a high-end cornerback before signing a huge contract with the Patriots in the 2017 offseason. It is in New England that Gilmore made a household name for himself.
Gilmore will forever be a part of the New England Patriots lore, specifically for some of his clutch moments. Starting with the famous pass deflection that secured the victory for the Patriots in the 2017 AFC Championship game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In his four seasons with the Patriots, Gilmore was a three-time Pro Bowler, a two-time All-Pro selection, won the 2019 Defensive Player of The Year award, and was a key piece in the Patriots' sixth Super Bowl victory. Gilmore is almost certainly a first-ballot Hall of Famer, still playing at a high level in his early thirties.
Gilmore is joining a secondary with another talented cornerback in Trevon Diggs, who is only 24 years old and has earned back-to-back Pro Bowl selections, was named a First Team All-Pro in 2021, and led the league in interceptions that year. The two hope to form an elite duo that makes opposing offenses' lives difficult. Fortunately for the duo, the Cowboys' third-year pass rusher, Micah Parsons, is already among the best pass rushers in the game and is expected to continue improving.
One cannot help but wonder whether Bill Belichick would have selected cornerback Christian Gonzalez with the 17th pick, had the team managed to bring Gilmore back. Nevertheless, the idea of that dynamic duo will leave fans wondering what could have been. In Dallas, Gilmore will aim to continue building his resume and solidifying himself as one of the best cornerbacks of the past decade.
Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
