Last training camp, the Vikings were desperate for some cornerback help. Defensive coordinator Brian Flores called an old friend after Mekhi Blackmon suffered his ACL tear. Former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore first visited and then signed shortly thereafter.
Stephon Gilmore Makes Major Decision About His Future
It was his age-34 season, which is old for any non-quarterback but ancient for a player at a position where speed is as essential as at cornerback.
As a logical consequence, he contemplated retirement this offseason.
After the team’s final game of the season, cornerback Stephon Gilmore mentioned the possibility of retiring in The Star Tribune.
“I’m probably the last corner playing. So, definitely going to sit down with my family and think about what’s best for me and go from there,” Gilmore said about his 2012 draft class, noting that his body was “feeling it.”
More than five months after those comments, Gilmore had a podcast appearance and declared himself ready for another season.
“I want to play this year,” Gilmore stated on The Money Down podcast. “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 got to be the right situation. I still love the game. I still can contribute. It’s just got to be the right place.”
One thing is clear: Gilmore doesn’t want to end up in a bad situation for himself, but he would like to play another season.
He is no longer the elite shutdown cornerback he once was in his heyday and undoubtedly has lost a step. Still, the dropoff from DPOY heights takes longer than that of an average player, so he was still able to help the Vikings win football games in his 13th season in the league.
Another element that highlighted his decline was the hamstring injury he sustained late in the season. He left the Week 13 contest against the Cardinals early, and the Vikings had to rely on backup Fabian Moreau. In the next few weeks, the club clearly went the cautious route, giving him the next two games off.
Throughout his career, Gilmore has appeared in 180 games (173 starts), playing for the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts, Cowboys, and Vikings.
His highlight in a purple uniform probably came in London when he clinched the game against the New York Jets by intercepting an Aaron Rodgers pass late in the fourth quarter, preventing the former rival from adding to his long list of comeback wins.
PFF gave Gilmore a grade of 62.2 throughout the season, which is pretty much an average number. He allowed five touchdowns and had that one interception. That grade is a good summary. He isn’t a liability, but he is no longer the playmaker he was a few years ago.
It remains to be seen what that “right situation” is. In theory, it could be the Vikings, as Flores has only one experienced starter in the building in Byron Murphy Jr. Neither Isaiah Rodgers, nor Jeff Okudah, nor Mekhi Blackmon has an extensive history of playing a full-time role and are projections going forward.
Gilmore will turn 35 in a couple of months. He’ll likely get some calls in training camp when teams realize that they are a corner short.
