Stephon Gilmore Retires from NFL with One-Day Contract with Patriots
Former Defensive Player of the Year signs one-day deal to end career with New England, where he won his only Super Bowl.
Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, officially retired from the NFL on Friday after signing a one-day contract with the New England Patriots. Gilmore spent 13 seasons in the league, winning his lone Super Bowl with the Patriots.
"I think I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I didn’t come to this franchise," Gilmore said during the signing.
Gilmore was originally selected 10th overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 2012 NFL Draft. He played five seasons with the Bills, earning a Pro Bowl selection in his final year before signing with the Patriots in 2017.
During his tenure with New England, Gilmore reached new heights. After an injury-shortened 2017 season, he earned his first of two All-Pro selections in 2018. He was a key defensive player during the Patriots' Super Bowl run that season, famously intercepting Rams quarterback Jared Goff late in the game to secure the victory.
The following season, Gilmore delivered one of the most dominant defensive performances in Patriots history. He led the league with six interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and was named the Defensive Player of the Year, the first in franchise history.
In four seasons with the Patriots, Gilmore recorded 185 tackles and 11 interceptions.
"I had great early years in my career, but I think once I came to New England, I really grew into myself mentally, physically," Gilmore reflected. "I got so much better as a player, I had great coaches, I was around a lot of great veteran players that really helped me elevate my game."
Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and subsequently played for the Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2021 for his fourth consecutive selection. He last played in 2024 and announced his retirement in April.
While Gilmore is currently enjoying time with his family, he has not ruled out a future in football.
"I still know a lot about the game," Gilmore stated. "I see a lot of guys playing nowadays, I think they can learn from older guys that played the game and see the game through different lenses. But right now I’m enjoying the family and if the right opportunity comes, I’ll be ready to fill it."