The New England Patriots may have ended their season in a disappointing fashion, but the defense was not the biggest cause of their wild card defeat to the Tennessee Titans. In fact, Stephon Gilmore potentially winning Defensive Player of the Year is a testament to how great the Patriots defense was throughout the season.

Stephon Gilmore is obviously thrilled at the chance of winning a Super Bowl as an honor to his defensive efforts throughout the year.

Per Jeff Howe of The Athletic:

“It’s pretty cool. That’s a big award,” Gilmore told Jeff Howe of TheAthletic.com. “The award speaks for itself, a lot of hard work, a lot of good teammates that put me in that position, a lot of preparation from myself. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates to even be in this position. I feel like I had a good year. Hopefully, I’ll win it.”

Stephon Gilmore was asked if he even thought about winning the award at some point during the season, and he admitted that he only considered the possibility at the tail-end of the year:

“Toward the end [of the season], people started saying it,” Stephon Gilmore said. “I didn’t really think about it because it’d be a big award to win. I think it’d be the first Patriot to win Defensive Player of the Year. I mean, that’s insane. Hopefully, I’ll win it.”

Stephon Gilmore led the league in interceptions with six that went for 126 yards and two pick-6s. He was also the top man when it came to pass deflections with 20. He made 53 tackles and one fumble recovery as well.

—

Follow NFL on ClutchPoints on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook. We can also be found on Flipboard where you can subscribe and follow us. Get more on Stephon Gilmore and the Patriots.

All of our NFL content can be found on the NFL section of the ClutchPoints home page here. For all of our fantasy football content, click here. Stephon Gilmore will try to shut down opposing wide receivers.

Follow NFL games live by downloading the ClutchPoints App and heading to the scores tab under the NFL section. Stephon Gilmore and the rest of the NFL will watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 2.