13-year veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore is still a free agent, but the former Defensive Player of the Year will find work before the start of the season. During a recent appearance on The Money Down podcast, the cornerback spoke about waiting to find the right fit before he signs with a new organization.
“I want to play this year,” Gilmore said. “It’s got to be the right situation. You know what I’m saying? It’s got to be the right situation for me. You know what I’m saying? I’m not just going to sign anywhere, so it’s go to be the right situation.”
This makes sense, as it’s also the strategy Stephon Gilmore employed last year as a free agent. Despite receiving interest across the league, the five-time Pro Bowler waited until August 18th to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. He will likely follow a similar time frame in 2025, and the following three teams could make the most sense for him.
Stephon Gilmore Wants to Play In 2025, But Only For “Right Destination”
Best Fits
Carolina Panthers
Stephon Gilmore is a Carolina native, so it only makes sense that he return to his home state for what could be the final season of his career. Quarterback Bryce Young showed real promise down the stretch last year, and the team bolstered the defense with players like Tre’Von Moehrig, Tershawn Wharton, and Day 2 picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. While they probably won’t win the Super Bowl, they could compete in a wide-open NFC South. Pairing Gilmore with Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn and the reliable Mike Jackson should give the Panthers one of the league’s better cornerback duos.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams came up just short in the Jalen Ramsey trade sweepstakes. Head coach Sean McVay spoke at length about his desire to reunite with his former lockdown cornerback, but the team couldn’t match Pittsburgh’s offer. With Ramsey off the table, McVay could pivot to the next-best thing in free agent Stephon Gilmore. This could be Matthew Stafford’s last season, and the team should do everything they can to hoist another Lombardi Trophy before the former first-round pick calls it a career.
Los Angeles Chargers
After making the playoffs in his first year at the helm, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has his eyes set on the Super Bowl. While the team spent most of their offseason resources bolstering the trenches and rebuilding the running game, they could still use more help in the secondary. Fifth-round pick Tarheeb Still is the real deal, but someone must replace Kristian Fulton on the outside. Stephon Gilmore might not be the same lockdown force he was in the late 2010s, but he’s still a reliable starter who should help Los Angeles compete in arguably the league’s most competitive division.
Main Photo: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images
