NFL All-Pro legend cornerback Stephon Gilmore is contemplating retirement after the Minnesota Vikings’ loss against the Los Angeles Rams. According to reports, the veteran cornerback will take time this offseason with his family to decide on his football career. Originally selected in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, the former Defensive Player of the Year found himself waiting for the right opportunity for the majority of the last offseason until the Vikings finally gave him a chance. Previously, he spent countless tenures with several rosters such as the Bills, Patriots, Panthers, Colts, and the Cowboys.
With all of these experiences, he got 182 starts over his 13 seasons in the league, recording 32 interceptions, two defensive touchdowns, three fumble recoveries and 581 total tackles. Gilmore has been no stranger to playing at the high level for most of his career but injuries have been slowing him down in his tenure with the Colts signing with the Cowboys to team with DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs gave him some extra life. However, he does understand the wear and tear football has on his back so it will be up to him what he does regarding his NFL future.
Despite that, contenders are always looking for some secondary help even though they can’t sign Gilmore until this upcoming offseason. If Gilmore has two more seasons in him, he could sign with the Chargers, Ravens for one or two years to see if he can deliver one more Super Bowl ring since winning one in his tenure with the Patriots back in 2018.
NFL All-Pro Legend Stephon Gilmore Contemplating Retirement – Chargers, Ravens May Change His Stance
Pure Nostalgia in LA
The Los Angeles Chargers have enough salary cap this upcoming offseason to make several moves to improve their roster. With their wild-card loss, the team might have to consider salvaging the pass-catching group to help quarterback Justin Herbert get plenty of consistent playmakers who can help his vision. However, even though the pass defense was explosive for the majority of the 2024 campaign, they should consider adding more veterans. Rookie Cam Hart is good but he isn’t reliable for a postseason game as he was shredded by C.J. Stroud’s passing attack.
To no fault of his own, it left free agent signee Kristian Fulton and Eli Apple to stop the momentum from the opposing side. Despite that, the team lost several secondary pieces like Ja’Sir Taylor, Elijah Molden and Marcus Maye so all they need is a healthy body that is sustainable for a postseason game. While Gilmore doesn’t have many seasons left in him, the Chargers could elevate him next season in the playoffs as the starter to help salvage the secondary.
More Secondary Help for Baltimore
The same scenario might occur for the Baltimore Ravens depending on how well they will fare against the Chiefs, assuming both move on to the AFC Championship Game. The Ravens have a ferocious offense, especially with signing running back Derrick Henry this past offseason to help give them a momentum booster. However, they struggle with stopping the shootouts in the majority of their losses so it should not surprise anyone if that is the case for the rest of the postseason. Head Coach John Harbaugh made some adjustments like elevating Ar’Darius Washington and while they brought in Tre’Davious White in a trade, it hasn’t made much of a difference.
Marlon Humphrey is still arguably the best defensive playmaker on this roster when it comes to the pass, so perhaps signing a veteran like Gilmore could give the Ravens extra life. Rookie Nate Wiggins needs more time to adjust in the league and cornerback Brandon Stephens still has his struggles. They need someone other than Humphrey to be a captain of the ship to guide them on their journey and Gilmore could very well find himself being that guy if he wants to continue playing.
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