???...IS STEPHON GILMORE ON HIS WAY BACK...???

WORD ON THE STREET...

It COULD happen.  The latest word 'around and about' has the Panthers reaching out to Free Agent Stephon Gilmore for a possible return to the Panthers. Gilmore played only one year here in 2021 before leaving for the Indianapolis Colts. Despite only playing here a short time, he was a Pro Bowl selection that year. I never understood why we let Gilmore walk away in 2022. GOOD, SOLID player.  YES, he's aging, but he was a good  Cornerback and a solid personality on the team..  Might have been a "money" issue, I guess.

After a decent year in Indianapolis, he was traded to Dallas last year. He started all seventeen games for Dallas, playing 94% of the teams Defensive snaps.

PANTHERS WIRE:  Joe Person (The Athletic) Says Panthers 'Reaching Out' To  Stephon Gilmore

NBC--PRO FOOTBALL TALK:  Panthers Still Looking For A CB -- Stephon Gilmore..???

BLEACHER REPORT:  Panthers Looking To Former Player, CB Stephon Gilmore

He is not young, but he IS still effective. I liked him when he was here. Actually, I was sort of impressed with him.  IF this was to happen, it would not bother me at all.

As "old" as he was, he was still better than most of what we had. He was certainly a huge upgrade over CJ Henderson. "IF" we can get one good year out of him, though, I would expect to see him retire at the end of that contract.

As "old" as he was, he was still better than most of what we had.  He was certainly a huge upgrade over CJ Henderson.  "IF" we can get one good year out of him, though, I would expect to see him retire at the end of that contract.

Yep, I agree...  Right now, we need another good CB during this 'transition' phase for the new HC and F.O.  I feel good about our direction, but we need to solidify our positional talent for the short term while allowing the young guys to develop.  It's going to be a delicate balancing act. Gilmore is 33 Y.O.. I think he has several years left (2-3 maybe ??) if he wants to continue playing. I would not want to draw a line in the sand and write him off on a certain date. If he wants to play, and he continues to be successful and useful, then keep him available and use him. Gilmore has a talent we need. Let's give him a chance, then decide.......

As "old" as he was, he was still better than most of what we had.  He was certainly a huge upgrade over CJ Henderson.  "IF" we can get one good year out of him, though, I would expect to see him retire at the end of that contract.

Yep, I agree...  Right now, we need another good CB during this 'transition' phase for the new HC and F.O.  I feel good about our direction, but we need to solidify our positional talent for the short term while allowing the young guys to develop.  It's going to be a delicate balancing act. Gilmore is 33 Y.O.. I think he has several years left (2-3 maybe ??) if he wants to continue playing. I would not want to draw a line in the sand and write him off on a certain date. If he wants to play, and he continues to be successful and useful, then keep him available and use him. Gilmore has a talent we need. Let's give him a chance, then decide.......

We also need a veteran presence.  I watched the Kristin Balboni/Luke Kuechly interview today, and he talked a bunch about the importance of having a veteran presence amongst the players.