Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year award winner Stephon Gilmore is headed to Charlotte. The Panthers are sending a 2023 6th round draft pick to New England after the Patriots announced that they intended to release the Pro Bowl cornerback.
Currently on the PUP list, Gilmore is eligible to be activated following week 6. Gilmore, 31, is a two time First Team All Pro with 25 career interceptions to his name. Originally selected 10th overall out of South Carolina in 2012 by the Bills, he spent his first 5 seasons in Buffalo before signing with the Patriots in 2017.
The trade marks the 2nd defensive back Panthers GM Scott Fitterer has acquired in the last week having previously traded TE Dan Arnold and a 3rd round pick for Jaguars CB CJ Henderson. With Henderson and Gilmore joining the Panthers secondary, fans can breathe easy following the loss of rookie Jaycee Horn to a broken foot. While there’s an outside chance Horn could return at some point this year, Carolina’s recent additions afford them some security should Horn elect for season ending surgery.
There’s perhaps no one in Charlotte that’s happier to have Gilmore on his side than quarterback Sam Darnold. In two career meetings, Gilmore had two interceptions against Darnold when he was a member of the New York Jets. Carolina is set to host the Patriots in Week 9 which should give Gilmore ample time to fully recover from his quad injury and become acclimated to the Panthers’ defensive scheme.
Carolina is currently giving up the 3rd fewest yards per game defensively behind only Buffalo and Cleveland. Already the 2nd best pass defense in the league, the addition of a true shutdown corner in Gilmore could take the Panthers to the next level in the second half of the season.