Panthers, Stephon Gilmore Not Close To Deal

Both before and after the draft, the Panthers have been linked to a reunion with Stephon Gilmore. The former Defensive Player of the Year is among the top cornerbacks still on the market, but a Carolina agreement may not be a lock at this point.

Joe Person of The Athletic notes there has been “no movement” between team and player in the Gilmore situation (subscription required). That has remained the case for weeks, he adds, meaning nothing is imminent regarding a deal being struck. Carolina traded away Donte Jackson in the Diontae Johnson deal, and the team lost C.J. Henderson and Shaquill Griffin during free agency.

That created a few vacancies on the CB depth chart, although Dane Jackson was added on a two-year deal. That move still had the Panthers set up to use a high draft pick on a corner, but instead the team’s only rookie addition was fifth-rounder Chau Smith-Wade. As a result, the Panthers may still be in the market for an addition in the post-draft wave of free agency.

Gilmore spent the 2021 season in Carolina, with his campaign being limited to nine games. In spite of the missed time, he still added a fifth Pro Bowl to his resume that year, and he remained a full-time starter while subsequently playing for the Colts and Cowboys. The 33-year-old expressed a desire to re-sign in Dallas earlier this offseason, but it remains to be seen if the feeling is mutual.

Carolina currently has just over $8MM in cap space, some of which will be needed to sign the team’s draft class. That will still leave sufficient funds to make a somewhat notable addition late in free agency, and Gilmore could remain a target on a low-cost arrangement. With the sides apparently not in discussion, however, it would come as a surprise if a deal were to come together in the near future. Aside from Gilmore, other free agent cornerback options include J.C. Jackson, Steven Nelson, Adoree’ Jackson and Patrick Peterson.