Holding the second-most cap space in the NFL, the Colts are interested in one of the top free agents. They brought Stephon Gilmore in for a visit Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.
The Colts have a need at cornerback, having sent starter Rock Ya-Sin to the Raiders for Yannick Ngakoue at the start of free agency, and Gilmore is one of the more accomplished cover men over the past several years. According to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star (on Twitter), today’s visit was more than the organization kicking the tires…the Colts have legitimate interest in Gilmore.
[RELATED: Rams Reach Out To Gilmore]
Gilmore, 31, has been connected to multiple contending teams. The Rams, Chiefs and Raiders have pursued the former Defensive Player of the Year. The Colts’ $21MM in cap space surpasses this trio, though the Chiefs are not far behind ($18MM-plus). The 10-year veteran has been patient, but his market did not take off early in free agency. Gilmore joins a few high-profile defenders in being unattached in mid-April.
Indianapolis still rosters standout slot defender Kenny Moore, but its 2021 outside starters (Ya-Sin and Xavier Rhodes) are not in the picture. This will be an area the Colts address in the draft, but Jim Irsay recently said the team was pursuing a big-name free agent. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and a two-time All-Pro while with New England, Gilmore has that pedigree.
The former first-round pick played just nine games last season, beginning the year late after a holdout and injury hiatus — stemming from his 2020 quadriceps injury and subsequent surgery — preceded a trade to the Panthers. Gilmore intercepted two passes with Carolina and went to the Pro Bowl as an alternate, but he allowed 68% of the passes thrown his way to be completed — well north of his two All-Pro Pats seasons. Still, the five-time Pro Bowler would be a starter-caliber addition to just about every secondary and potentially provide an impact on a short-term deal.
He won’t sign in indy, he’s asking for a little more than the ham sandwich they offer free agents.
I could actually go for a ham sandwich
But it’s on pumpernickel bread.
Have you had ham on pumpernickel?…with a nice brown mustard?
Schefter is reporting, a bag of cheeto’s is also on the table.
Ballard is going all out!
This would really be huge. Focus on O line, WR and then whatever depth in the later rounds but the starters on O and D would be set.