Jaguars: CB Stephon Gilmore wasn’t a good fit for 3 reasons

Stephon Gilmore has been one of the best and most consistent NFL cornerbacks. He is now a member of the Carolina Panthers after being traded by the New England Patriots. The news came hours after it was reported that he was going to be released. However, the Pats found a willing trade partner in Carolina. Even if the cornerback had become a free agent, the Jacksonville Jaguars might have been better off not pursuing him.

The Pats traded Gilmore because they needed cap space. He was in the last year of the contract and didn’t have any more guaranteed money in his contract. Had New England not find a trading partner, the cornerback would have become hit the open market. Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Pro Bowl cornerback was going to have a robust market for his services. His release wasn’t going to become official until 4:00 p.m. This gave New England one last chance to entertain bids.

Gilmore signed a five-year deal worth $65 million dollars with the Patriots in 2017. During his tenure in Foxborough, he started 56 games and logged 185 total tackles, 52 passes defensed, 11 interceptions, and three forced fumbles. He was the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and was part of the2018 Patriots Super Bowl team. A first-round pick in 2012, Gilmore spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills. Moreover, he has earned four Pro Bowl nods and two First-Team All-Pro designations.

So why was it a good thing that the Jaguars didn’t land Gilmore? Here are several reasons why.