Ex-Patriot Cornerback Stephon Gilmore Reportedly Has Another Suitor

Former New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore is taking his time in free agency.

There have been many reported suiters for the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, and the defending Super Bowl champions Los Angeles Rams now can be thrown into the mix.

“The Rams have been in contact with Gilmore this offseason,” The Athletic’s Jourdan Rodrigue wrote, citing sources. She also reported that the Rams have interest in star safety Tyrann Mathieu, but talks have not advanced as far as they have with Gilmore.

“Rams’ number would be much lower than the expected number either player initially hit the free-agency market with,” Rodrigue wrote referencing contract terms. “Any one player who now joins the team by any means other than a trade would likely have to agree to a lower-than-expected salary at least in the short term, and that includes both Mathieu and Gilmore.”

The last important note in the report was in regards to the timing of these potential signings.

“There’s a pretty small chance the Rams sign anybody else until after the draft as it is,” Rodrigue wrote. “In the week afterward, newly signed players no longer affect the compensatory pick formula. The Rams depend on that formula to add picks, because they’ve often traded away higher-round picks for proven veteran players.”

At this point in the offseason, it would make sense for Gilmore to wait until the draft has concluded before signing, to maximize his market.