pats should Give Gilmore a bump
Team has cap space thanks to opt-outs
With all due respect to Cam Newton, the best player on the Patriots roster right now is not a quarterback.
Their best player lines up on defense.
Stephon Gilmore, the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year, holds the distinction. Until Newton proves otherwise, Gilmore, who serves as Bill Belichick’s most impactful defensive weapon, stands at the head of the class. For now, he’s the face of the franchise, with Tom Brady having fled to Tampa.
With the NFL still very much a passing league, shutdown corners are a must. The Patriots are fortunate to line up the top player at that position.
Considering the 5-year, $65 million free agent deal Gilmore signed in 2017 expires after next season, it will be interesting to see what the Patriots have in mind with respect to the star, who turns 30 in September.
Even with a hugely reduced salary cap expected next season, the Pats will be among the leaders in available cash to spend.
And, thanks to opt-outs, they also have a bit of fun money in reserve to use as needed this season.
Gilmore’s bank account would certainly be a good landing spot for some of the loot, especially if the Patriots want to make a future commitment.
Whether they extend him a year, or multiple years, they should get their money’s worth. Gilmore figures to remain a competitive force, and one of the game’s best players at the position the next few years. He still has a little time before hitting the wall. So in that regard, it makes sense.
The other caveat, aside from retaining their best player, is the Patriots would get even more cap relief with an extension.
Gilmore’s cap hits this year ($18.67 million) and next ($19.67 m), are significant, and stand at the top of the list from players on the Patriots roster. Given he turns 30 in September, the Pats might want to let this play out a bit.
As of late last week, there had yet to be any dialogue between Gilmore and the team on a possible extension, according to a source, although that could change.
At the very least, an extension is something to consider.
The Patriots aren’t against signing players early. In 2019, they reupped cornerback Jonathan Jones before the season. Jones was set to play on his restricted free-agent tender, then came to terms on a 3-year contract extension.
In 2018, offensive lineman Shaq Mason, who was set to enter his final year, got an early bump with a new deal.
Given Gilmore’s importance to the defense, and what he allows Belichick to do by essentially taking care of one side of the field locking down an opponent’s best receiver, why not get the ball rolling and lock him up beyond 2021?
Listening to Gilmore chat with reporters on a Zoom call following Monday’s practice, he sounded determined to have the same kind of dominant season he produced last year.
“I’m just trying to be the same guy and player that I am. I just put in work each and every day. And I know what it took for me last year to play consistently each and every game,” he said. “There’s nothing I can do but just put my head down and work hard and try to achieve things this year each and every day.”
With an average annual salary of $13 million, Gilmore sits behind Darius Slay on the cornerback totem poll. With the three-year, $50 million deal Slay signed with the Eagles, his average annual salary is $16.7 million.
Maybe the Patriots want to wait and see how this pandemic season turns out before committing more money to Gilmore, or anyone else. Or maybe, they feel they’re already developing the team’s next shutdown corner in J.C. Jackson, who is on course to take the baton if Gilmore plays out his deal. Both scenarios make sense.
But why not try to keep a pair of shutdown corners in the fold? The high-powered offenses aren’t going away any time soon.
And without Tom Brady at quarterback, there’s even more onus on the defense, and being able to hold teams at bay. Of course, Gilmore didn’t seem to think there was any added pressure on him, or the defense, to deliver when the question was posed. He just chalked up Brady’s departure to the narrative of players moving every year.
“It happens a lot in the league. People come, people go. You’ve got to adjust and try to be consistent with your game, just control what you can control,” he said, “and that’s what I’m gonna do: control what I can control and try to make plays for my teammates.”
Gilmore was certainly at his best last season. The three-time Pro Bowler tied for the league lead in interceptions (six), was second in interceptions returned for touchdowns (two) and third in passer rating allowed (47.4, per Pro Football Focus). Add 20 passes defended and 53 tackles, and it earned him DPOY honors, not to mention expectations for more.
Might he have another level beyond that this season or beyond?
“You have to work for whatever you earn in this league, whatever accolades you win, you have to work for,” he said. “So I know it’s not going to be easy. I have to put the work in each and every day, and compete against my teammates and get better. Hopefully that carries over to the game, but it takes one day at a time, and that’s how I approach it.
“I have to earn (that next level),” he went on. “Whatever my goals are, whatever I want to achieve, I have to earn it.”
Gilmore will be 32 when his contract expires. He will have played 11 seasons in the league.
As a comparison, Ty Law retired at 35 after 15 seasons. Darrelle Revis was done at 33 after 11 seasons.
“He is amongst the giants of the league and has a desire to be the best and stay there,” Law told the Herald recently. “I’m loving what he is doing and looking forward to another big year for him.”