The craze of free agency is over. The 2024 NFL Draft went by. Yet, free agent Stephon Gilmore is still unsigned.
Despite being one of the most experienced and talented defenders hitting the market this offseason, the five-time Pro Bowler is still available. Jerry Jones and the Cowboys front office have decided on a wait-and-see approach with Gilmore instead of signing him to a deal.
With teams now having a better understanding of their needs and roster situation, they will target the remaining free agents. Gilmore should have plenty of suitors, so let's take a look at where the former Super Bowl winner might end up and make a prediction.
Indianapolis Colts
Gilmore was already with the Indianapolis Colts before being traded to the Cowboys. So, if the Colts gave him a lucrative two-year contract once, they could certainly do it again. And they desperately need more talent at cornerback.
Despite having a massive hole at CB, the Colts didn't address it at the draft. They will presumably do so in free agency and Gilmore is their best option there. They also still have over $28 million in cap space, so they can also give him more money than most teams.
The only obstacle here is if Gilmore prefers to be on a title contender at this stage of his career. The Colts had a surprise campaign last year, finishing with a 9-8 record in Shane Steichen's first season as a head coach. However, they still have a ways to go before being a serious postseason team.
Detroit Lions
If Gilmore prefers to be on a title contender, he might not do better than the Detroit Lions. Not only do the Lions have an excellent shot at making the Super Bowl, but they also have significant cap space to give Gilmore a lucrative contract.
Plus, Gilmore would immediately become the best cornerback on the team, filling an important need.
The Lions traded up in the 2024 NFL Draft to select Terrion Arnold out of Alabama and signed Carlton Davis and Amik Robertson in free agency. On paper, they bolstered their cornerback rotation significantly. Arnold will likely get the starting job immediately, but who will play opposite him remains a question mark.
Matching Arnold's upside with Gilmore's experience could be an intriguing option for the Lions.
Dallas Cowboys
Obviously, the Dallas Cowboys are still a candidate to re-sign Stephon Gilmore. The front office has been dragging his feet but they may be having conversations with him behind closed doors.
Plus, Gilmore already expressed a desire to come back to Dallas for another season. If the Cowboys were to give him the contract he wants, Gilmore should gladly stay to compete for a Super Bowl.
Gilmore played in three different teams in the last three seasons. At this stage of his career, he might prefer some stability with a team and coaching staff he knows. The Cowboys also have excellent depth on their secondary to keep Gilmore fresh by using him less often.
If Gilmore wants to move to a more limited role for his age-34 season, being behind DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs on the depth chart might be the best role for him.
Prediction: Carolina Panthers
Even though the Lions, Colts, and the Cowboys are all real possibilities, the most likely scenario might be Gilmore returning to the Carolina Panthers, where he played in the 2021 season.
The Panthers had traded for him mid-season in 2021 where he eventually made the Pro Bowl despite only playing in eight games. By playing so well there, he played himself out of a contract in Carolina, and ended up signing with the Colts that offseason.
Now with Carolina looking to take a significant step forward after a miserable 2-15 season in 2023, Gilmore is the perfect veteran to help them get back to respectability.
The Panthers already have Jaycee Horn on the outside, but their options on the other side leave plenty to be desired. They added Dane Jackson in free agency, drafted Chau Smith-Wade in the fifth round and they still have Troy Hill. Gilmore would be an immediate upgrade over these.
When asked about the Gilmore speculation, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan didn't close the door.
"We’re not gonna close the door on anything. We’ll continue to talk and explore, and see where that goes."Panthers GM Dan Morgan
Joe Person of The Athletic called it an "inevitability" earlier this week that Gilmore would return to the Panthers. There isn't much progress on that front as of now, but it does seem like the most likely possibility for now.