The Dallas Cowboys landed Stephon Gilmore in an offseason trade, and they reportedly had some competition for the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, the Cowboys and New England Patriots “showed the most interest” in trading for the 32-year-old Gilmore.
Dallas ultimately won out, sending a compensatory fifth-round pick to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the five-time Pro Bowler.
In order to acquire Stephon Gilmore this offseason, the Cowboys had to beat out … the Patriots.
Also in here, some early discussions on a potential new deal for Dak and an update on free agent RBs Zeke Elliott and Dalvin Cook. https://t.co/r2PyiQ6zuN
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 6, 2023
New England’s reported interest in Gilmore makes sense, considering he spent four seasons with the team from 2017-20. During that time, Gilmore made three Pro Bowls, earned two first-team All-Pro selections and won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
He also helped the Patriots reach a pair of Super Bowls and win Super Bowl LIII, the final championship of the team’s nearly 20-year dynasty.
With Dallas, Gilmore is hoping to give the team a steady presence as its CB2 opposite Trevon Diggs. Gilmore started 16 of 17 games for the Colts in 2022, finishing the year with a career-high 66 total tackles, 11 passes defensed and two interceptions.
Gilmore has 29 total interceptions in 148 career regular season games entering 2023.