Stephon Gilmore waited until mid-August to sign with the Minnesota Vikings. He was in no rush. Every team needs good cornerbacks, and Gilmore’s resumé speaks for itself. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler and former Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 who won Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots.
Perhaps that’s why he’s a man of few words. He shows up, does his job, and goes home.
Gilmore, 34, visited the Vikings on August 10 and joined camp on August 19. Naturally, reporters were curious. Did he consider other teams?
“Two or three other teams,” he said, “but, ultimately, it just felt right to come here.”
He’s entering Year 13 in the league. How much tread does he have left on the tires?
“I mean, I didn’t do much training camp,” he said with a wry smile, “so I feel pretty good right now.”
Gilmore knows the forces of supply and demand. The 18th-century philosopher and economist Adam Smith posited that economic agents who act in their self-interest make up free markets and will deliver the best social and financial outcomes. The term he coined for this was “the invisible hand.” Gilmore acted upon that concept, waiting patiently to find the right team.
“There are still some good corners and safeties out there like Justin Simmons and myself that are still not signed,” Gilmore told Josina Anderson on July 16. “Honestly, I’m still being patient and staying ready until teams see what they have in training camp.
“But you mean to tell me among 32 teams that there are 64 starting corners that are better than me? I don’t think that. If teams want to win, I think they should sign the best players. I know I’m still a starter in this league. I started games last year, but the season doesn’t start until September. We got a while.”
Gilmore had multiple suitors, and Minnesota needed another cornerback after losing Khyree Jackson in a tragic car accident and Mekhi Blackmon to a knee injury. The Vikings signed him a one-year, $7 million contract with up to $10 million in incentives because they needed cornerback depth.
Brian Flores had coached Gilmore in New England, and that familiarity incentivized Gilmore to sign with Minnesota. However, the Vikings didn’t guarantee him a role or playing time. They told him to get to know everyone around camp and practice hard, and they’d put him in a spot to succeed.
It turns out that Gilmore still has some tread left. The Vikings occasionally put Gilmore on the opponent’s best receiver and cloud the rest of the field with zone coverage. It’s a large role for a corner on the wrong side of 30, but he handles it with aplomb.
Opponents have targeted Gilmore 36 times, tied for fourth in the league. He has also allowed 24 receptions, the fifth-most among corners. Still, he’ll go long periods without seeing a quarterback pass his way. Gilmore is a 34-year-old corner locking down some of the NFL’s best receivers, which enables Flores’ defense to baffle some of the league’s best quarterbacks.
Against the New York Jets in London, Gilmore intercepted Aaron Rodgers for his first pick of the season. Rodgers was driving with the Jets down 23-17, and Gilmore’s interception sealed the game for Minnesota.
After the game, Camryn Bynum said that the other players in the secondary gave him a hard time for taking until Week 5 to get his pick.
“We were talking on the sideline; I think he’s the last starting DB to have a pick,” said Bynum. “So we were not making fun of him, but we’re like, ‘Come on, you’ve got to get it today. This is your one.’”
Gilmore’s response?
“Ok this a list,” he posted on X after the game. “I’ve picked off Brady, Peyton, and now Rodgers.”
For those keeping score at home, that’s Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers.
Gilmore didn’t say much in that tweet because he didn’t have to. He has outlasted his competition and still has some tread left on the tires. His resume speaks for itself.
