Patriots releasing Stephon Gilmore after failing to agree on contract

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots are releasing 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore aft the 2 sides couldn’t travel to presumption connected a caller contract.

The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback confirmed his departure successful an Instagram post, saying the moments helium shared with his teammates connected and disconnected the tract implicit the past 4 seasons — including winning the Super Bowl pursuing the 2018 play — “will ne'er beryllium forgotten.”

“It is with mixed emotions that I denote my goodbye to this large instrumentality base,” Gilmore wrote. “We enjoyed truthful overmuch occurrence unneurotic and you person been an unthinkable inspiration for my idiosyncratic achievements.”

Gilmore began the play connected the physically incapable to execute database arsenic helium worked his mode backmost from a quadriceps wounded precocious past play that required offseason surgery. He would person been eligible to statesman practicing again aft Week 6.

The Patriots and Gilmore had been trying to enactment retired a restructured woody since this summer. The 31-year-old sat retired some the voluntary and mandatory portions of New England’s offseason programme successful May and June arsenic helium looked to get further compensation entering the last play of the five-year, $65 cardinal woody helium signed successful 2017.

He was scheduled to marque a $7 cardinal basal wage this season. He besides received a $500,000 roster bonus, but adjacent with that, his 2021 compensation would person ranked him 25th among NFL cornerbacks.

That didn’t beryllium good with Gilmore, who has been a standout successful New England’s secondary since arriving arsenic a escaped cause from Buffalo successful 2017. He has 11 interceptions successful his 4 seasons with the Patriots.

Gilmore tied a vocation debased with 1 interception past season. He appeared successful conscionable 11 games aft missing clip owed to a COVID-19 diagnosis and the quad injury.

He told ESPN this summertime that helium lone wanted just worth and that helium was feeling bully pursuing surgery.

“I conscionable privation what I’m worth, nevertheless that plays out,” Gilmore told ESPN. “Every subordinate should beryllium paid what they’re worth. That’s conscionable however it is.”

Despite losing information Patrick Chung to retirement, the Patriots did bash immoderate things to bolster their secondary this offseason. Defensive backmost J.C. Jackson, who led the squad with 9 interceptions past season, re-signed, and the squad added seasoned Jalen Mills. Jackson already has 2 interceptions this season.

An extended lack by Gilmore would person hampered his quality to physique chemistry with a portion that besides added respective caller pieces connected the antiaircraft enactment successful escaped agency, including antiaircraft tackle Davon Godchaux and borderline rusher Matt Judon.

With Gilmore present gone, the Patriots volition crook their afloat attraction to fortifying a defence that ranks 4th successful the NFL, allowing 185 passing yards per game.