It was a stunning report Wednesday morning when ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted that the New England Patriots were set to release veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
However, the Patriots ended up getting some value for the 2019 NFL's Defensive Player of the Year later in the day.
The Carolina Panthers have made another significant move for their defense, acquiring Gilmore from New England in exchange for a 2023 sixth round pick.
The 31-year-old heads to Carolina to play in Charlotte, just about 35 minutes away from where he grew up in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Gilmore also played his college ball at the University of South Carolina, where he eventually became a first round pick (10th overall) of the Buffalo Bills in the 2012 NFL Draft.
Gilmore was placed on the physically unable to perform at the start of the season, as he continues his recovery from a torn quadriceps that ended his 2020 campaign. He is eligible to return to the Panthers' lineup for the team's Week 7 matchup with the New York Giants on Sunday, Oct. 24 at MetLife Stadium
Two weeks after his expected return to the lineup, Gilmore and the Panthers are scheduled to play the Patriots at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. It would be the first time Gilmore faces his old team since signing a five-year, $65 million contract with the team back in March of 2017.
Ahead of the trade on Wednesday, ESPN's Mike Reiss reported that injury and financial considerations were both in play with Gilmore's reported release, with Schefter adding the Patriots were seeking more financial flexibility and that the team and Gilmore were unable to agree to terms on a restructured contract.
Gilmore posted a statement on his Twitter account on Wednesday, thanking owner Robert Kraft and the Patriots' coaches, organization and fans.