Malcolm Butler will inevitably garner a lot of attention as he faces the Patriots for the first time since his departure on Sunday. But while Patriots coach Bill Belichick doesn’t want to talk about Butler’s struggles this season, he is willing to talk profusely about another cornerback: Stephon Gilmore.

Per Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston, Belichick puts Gilmore alongside Ty Law and Aqib Talib in terms of cornerbacks he seeks input from when coming up with his game plan on defense.

“I have a ton of respect for Stephon. He’s covered and played against a lot of guys in this league. I mean, he’s willing to do whatever you ask him to do. I don’t think it’s a question of that. But yeah, you talk to those guys when you talk about matching them up – Ty [Law] or [Aqib] Talib or Gilmore, guys like that,” Belichick said.

“You know, ‘How do you feel about certain guys?’ Because, again, playing against them is one thing, but how a particular player plays against them and what do you feel good about on the matchups or anything you’re worried about. You know, and then they tell you and sometimes that helps you how you want to defend them.”

After a good but not great debut campaign with the Patriots last year, Gilmore is having a stellar sophomore season. Through nine games, he has 12 pass breakups and an interception and is currently the No. 5-ranked cornerback per Pro Football Focus.

It speaks to Gilmore’s ability that Belichick values his opinion as highly as he does. Hopefully, he can continue his fine form and help the Patriots make another postseason run.