Patriots training camp officially begins in a week and Stephon Gilmore still has a contract he isn’t happy with.
The 30-year-old is scheduled to make just over $7 million in the last year of his deal and did not attend any of the offseason program, including mandatory minicamp.
There are two options for Gilmore to get more money from the Patriots. No. 1, receive a multi-year extension and No. 2, get a bump in pay for just the 2021 season.
On the outside looking in, this appeared to be the hold up — Gilmore wanted an extension, while the Patriots were only comfortable giving an increase for 2021 and nothing beyond.
But, maybe that isn’t the case.
According to NFL Media’s Mike Giardi, Gilmore’s side is open to a multi-year extension, but would also be willing to take a one-year jump in salary in order to make things work.
Well if that’s the case, why hasn’t something been hammered out already?
It could be because Gilmore and/or Bill Belichick and the Patriots front office team have been on vacation and are waiting for the days prior to training camp to get it done. Or, it could be more complicated than anyone really thought.
If Gilmore truly would be willing to take a one-year bump in salary, this should not be very complicated and expect a deal to get done prior to training camp next week.
And if not, things could get very interesting...