The Indianapolis Colts stole the NFL spotlight ahead of the Easter weekend by signing premier CB, Stephon Gilmore. According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, they weren’t the only ones looking to secure his services.
It’s hardly surprising to hear that Howie Roseman went knocking on Gilmore’s door. The Eagles lost Steven Nelson in free agency and have a gaping hole at CB2. While it’s widely expected that they address this with one of their top draft picks thanks to the caliber and abundance of corners available in the first-round, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year and 5x Pro Bowler was always going to turn heads.
However, it’s not the worst thing in the world that Howie didn’t go above and beyond to land him. The 31-year-old did have a resurgent year in Carolina, recording 2 picks and 2 PD in 9 games, but the road leading to Carolina was a bumpy one.
One of the best cornerbacks in the league, the veteran surprisingly sat out the Patriots’ mandatory minicamp due to a contract dispute. The Pats were keeping a close eye on his health following a torn quad injury, and he ended up starting the year on PUP.
Fast forward a few months and he found his way to Carolina where he did ultimately prove he’s still one of the best corners in the league. But the reality is that Stephon Gilmore is going to be 32-years-old later this year, is one season removed from a torn quad and is going to demand a hefty paycheck. The Eagles have placed an emphasis on getting younger, faster, and most importantly, cheaper. With an arsenal of draft picks and a bevy of exciting young talents available in the 2022 class, Roseman made the right call.
Nobody is saying Gilmore isn’t worth the price tag, but he’s not worth the up-front investment from a team looking to find long-term stability in the secondary. A short-term contract for Gilmore wouldn’t suddenly send the Eagles to the brink of a Super Bowl. Roseman did right by pursuing the veteran, because a bargain is a bargain and if he could lure Stephon Gilmore to Philadelphia, it would’ve been a monumental signing. But Roseman also appears to be learning that he doesn’t have to swing at everything and that if a player is out of his budget, then that’s okay.
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