NFL Rumor: Patriots pursued Stephon Gilmore reunion in offseason

The New England Patriots were rumored to have pursued a reunion with CB Stephon Gilmore before he was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys in March.

The New England Patriots nearly reunited with star CB Stephon Gilmore in the offseason before he was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys by the Colts.

The 5-time Pro Bowler was one of the top defensive back targets in the offseason, as Indianapolis was shopping him around for a potential trade. The Patriots almost grabbed Gilmore for a second stint before ultimately passing, according to new rumors from Jeff Howe of the Athletic.

Gilmore won a Super Bowl in Foxboro during his four years with the team, and also was crowned 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year in a season that saw him grab a career-high six interceptions and 20 pass breakups.

Gilmore is dominating at Cowboys training camp after getting traded in March. The team hopes he is back in Pro Bowl form at the age of 32, following two years of injury riddled seasons with the Panthers and Colts.

“I’ve always got something to prove — always, always,” Gilmore said. “That’s my mindset each and every year. No matter what, you’ve still got to go out and make plays. I think I did that last year no matter the circumstance.”

He will pair up with young star CB Trevon Diggs in the Cowboys secondary, and he has big aspirations for a Super Bowl run together in Dallas.

“It’d mean a lot,” Gilmore told The Athletic. “There’s no better feeling than winning that big thing. To do it here would be even bigger.”

Gilmore's dreams have a decent chance to become a reality, with the Cowboys holding the sixth best odds to win the Super Bowl at +1400 per FanDuel Sportsbook. They will have some hefty competition in their division, having to take on the Philadelphia Eagles (+800) and their vaunted receiving core at least twice if they want to go all the way.