With training camps right around the corner, Stephon Gilmore continues to bet on himself.
Despite being one of the top cornerbacks on the free-agent market, the former Dallas Cowboys defender is still unsigned going into his 13th NFL season. In a recent conversation with NFL insider Josina Anderson, Gilmore revealed some of his true thoughts on the lengthy wait.
“There are still some good corners and safeties out there like Justin Simmons and myself that are still not signed. Honestly, I’m still being patient and staying ready until teams see what they have in training camp; but you mean to tell me among 32 teams that there are 64 starting corners that are better than me? I don’t think that,” Gilmore told Anderson. “If teams want to win, I think they should sign the best players. I know I’m still a starter in this league. I started games last year, but the season doesn’t start until September, we got a while.”
Gilmore’s argument holds up if he’s using his 2023 campaign for reference. He was a key piece of Dallas’ defense, posting 68 tackles, 13 pass deflections, two interceptions and one forced fumble on a unit that lost Trevon Diggs to a torn ACL in September.
The veteran cornerback battled through a torn right labrum late in the year, starting Dallas’ wild-card playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers in January. Gilmore talked up his interest in returning to the Cowboys earlier in the offseason, but whether the team would bring him back remains to be seen.
Dallas has made other moves at the position this offseason, re-signing veteran Jourdan Lewis and adding former UFL standout Gareon Conley to the roster.
Gilmore would bring a strong resume to any interested suitors, led by two All-Pro honors and a 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award. He also has Super Bowl-winning experience, helping New England to a title in 2019.
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