Shortly before Bill Belichick was set to meet with the local media for a press conference at Gillette Stadium early Wednesday afternoon, the Patriots coach released a statement regarding Stephon Gilmore.
While such a tactic has generally precluded the coach from then actually addressing the newsworthy topic in his scheduled press conference, that was not completely the case in regards to word that Gilmore is “parting ways” with New England either by release or a last-ditch trade effort.
“Just a quick comment on Steph,” Belichick said to open his presser. “I released a statement on him and absolutely appreciate and feel strongly about the player and the person. He’s a great kid. So, unfortunately, as I said we decided to part ways. I don’t have any other comment on that right now. So, it is what it is. We’re really focused on Houston.”
After Belichick proceeded to give his thoughts on the Texans, the first question he faced was one wondering how the team failed to reach a palatable contract agreement with 31-year-old former 2019 Defensive Player of the Year Gilmore after spending so much money elsewhere on the rebuilt New England roster through free agency this spring.
“I’m not going to have any more comments on that right now. I already made them,” Belichick said.
After deflecting another question, Belichick did in fact respond to a query wondering why now was the time to move on from Gilmore, given that the cornerback could stay on PUP through Week 6 and that the team has been negotiating with him on the contract issue for more than a year.
“There have been a number of things that have gone on for a long period of time, finally we just mutually reached the point that we reached,” Belichick said of the timing.
Asked about Gilmore having trade value Belichick said, “Again, I’m not commenting any further. I appreciate all the questions. I really do.
But I’ve said all I can say for right now.”
Belichick even got seemingly defensive when asked about his confidence in J.C. Jackson, who’s been New England’s No. 1 corner in Gilmore’s absence and will continue to fill that role moving forward.
“That’s the way it’s been for the end of last season and this season,” Belichick said. “Are you trying to relate the two situations? I don’t really understand the question. Do I think J.C. is a good player? Yeah, I think J.C. is a good player. I think he’s a very good player. He’s performed well for us.”
In an answer to another question regarding summer trade addition Shaun Wade, a rookie who’s yet to dress this season, Belichick’s apparent confidence in his remaining cornerbacks became even more obvious.
“We’ve been pretty healthy at that position. I’d say overall that group’s played pretty well,” Belichick said. “There is always room for improvement. I’m not saying that. But overall we’ve played the passing game fairly well this year. We played the best passing game in the league last week and played that competitively. I’d say there are plenty of areas on the team … again everything can be improved, but I’d say there are other areas that could improve more than that group.”
As the secondary group looks to improve, it will do so without Gilmore, a guy who teammates still believe is arguably the best cornerback in the NFL.