Stephon Gilmore‘s contract continues to be a midsummer NFL talking point. The All-Pro did not attend the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp and is going into the final year of a contract several less accomplished cornerbacks have since surpassed.
The 10th-year veteran addressed some issues regarding his status with the Patriots and health going into training camp Friday.
“I just want what I’m worth, however that plays out,” Gilmore said in a text to veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson (Twitter links). “Every player should be paid what they’re worth. That’s just how it is. Hopefully we can find some common ground & get it situated. I just know what I bring to the table & my style of play.”
Gilmore, 31 in September, is due just a $7MM base salary this season. This amount was set to be higher, but the Patriots moved money to give the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year a raise in 2020. In terms of average annual value, Gilmore’s $13MM mark has dropped to 13th. The Pats gave Gilmore a five-year, $65MM accord in 2017. The former Bills first-round pick has since become one of the game’s premier cover men, earning first-team All-Pro recognition in 2018 and ’19.
The Pats are not expected to do a new deal with Gilmore ahead of camp, however. The more likely scenario will be adding incentives for him to reach in 2021, similar to how the team played it with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski in 2018. Gilmore is coming off a down season, playing in just 11 games due to contracting COVID-19 suffering a torn quadriceps. On the latter front, Gilmore said he has been running “a lot” since his quad surgery, though he stopped short of confirming he would be 100% by camp (Twitter link via Anderson).
Even though this situation remains unresolved, Gilmore confirmed to Anderson he is not planning to push for a trade. This supports previous reports indicating this situation is not contentious at this point.
Injured last year and didn’t really perform to the raise (money moved from this year) he was given. Very well may not be ready for camp and we wants a raise? I’d say not
Every player should be paid what they’re worth…..
You realize there would be a negative aspect to that as well to those that signed fat contracts and didn’t perform up to their value.
“Sorry Stephon, we’re only gonna pay you 100 bucks this paycheck since you gave up all those huge plays and then got injured and didn’t finish the game. However, we’re just paying you what you’re worth.”
They’re paying him the contract he chose to sign
afsooner02 – exactly right, if you want to be paid what your worth, then be prepared for that to go both ways.
How about players sign contracts where the base salary is the equivalent of what they and the team agree is fair compensation for a player who would barely make the team (bare minimum performance). Then, player and team agree on a system of pay bumps based on performance metrics they agreed reflect higher levels of performance. If you want more, simply go earn it with your play.
This already happens with players on “prove it” deals, so if you want a flexible contract so the same. Otherwise, honor what you signed.
No sympathy whatsoever. You signed. You’re well paid. Play.
Hey Gilmore you may want to take an economics class!
If his stated desire is to be paid what he is worth then who decides what that worth is? Also, if that is how he wants it then he should only sign one-year contracts and negotiate his “worth” each season. Normally have more understanding and compassion for players when it comes to NFL contracts due to the non-guaranteed aspects that teams take advantage of, but in this case the Pats have bent over backwards to accomodate his perceived “worth” and now that the “worth” isn’t as high as previous seasons he is holding out. No sympathy for you Mr. Gilmore, not this time.
I’d love to know this too. What is his worth and how do we accurately determine this? The Patriots way of determine by adding incentives seems to be the right way to go about it IMO.