Today’s a good day for Stephon Gilmore. The Patriots have given the cornerback a $5MM pay raise for 2020, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link). 
Gilmore, the reigning defensive player of the year, has two years to go his current deal. In 2020, he’s now slated to earn $15.5MM, with an additional $2MM bonus if he repeats as the NFL’s DPOY. For now, his 2021 remains unchanged – he’s scheduled to make $11.5MM in base pay, plus $8MM+ in bonuses.
Gilmore skipped a handful of practices over the summer, leading some to speculate about a potential holdout. Later, we learned that his absence was not contract-related. Gilmore presumably wants a new deal, but he’s not pressing the Patriots to make it happen with two years left on his current pact.
After spending the first five seasons of his career with the Bills, Gilmore joined the Patriots on a five-year, $65MM deal ($31MM guaranteed) prior to the 2017 season. The former first-rounder had an up-and-down campaign during his first season in New England, but he’s delivered some incredible performances ever since.
At the time of signing, Gilmore’s deal made him the highest-paid cornerback in NFL history. Since then, the market has shifted dramatically. Before the pay bump, Gilmore’s average annual salary ranked him No. 11 among CBs, far behind new positional leader Jalen Ramsey.
When it comes time to get paid he will. He will exceed Ramsey because let’s be honest Ramsey is an excellent corner but he’s not in the class of Gilmore.
Ramsey is also 5 years younger than Gilmore. Gilmore isn’t looking at 100M when his contract expires going into his age 32 season.
True, but unlike Ramsay, Gilmore is expected to deliver on his contract, whatever it ends up being worth.
Love Gilmore but he should get paid more once he signs an extension.
‘The Patriots have given the cornerback a ~$15.5MM pay raise for 2020, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport’.
It’s been reported all offseason that NE had around $1m in cap space. Guess those reports were inaccurate.
Gilmore won’t be a Patriot long term. Bill never wants to pay huge dollars for any one player
I’d take a $15.5m pay raise for 1 season.
Just think of all the Jag merchandise you could buy…lol.
I miss the old ‘Aints and their paper bag masks from the heydays of the 70’s & 80’s! Not sure what bags come in teal and/or leopard spots.
I think the teal and leopard spots would have to be a DIY project unless Lululemon has them in stock.
You are right, Belichick usually doesn’t…except in the secondary. He targeted Gilmore specifically and his fondness for McCourty at safety (and his attachment to all of his safeties, as it were) makes it clear that Belichick is much more willing to pay for secondary help than in his front seven. His history as a linebackers coach likely has something to do with that. But Belichick has held more loyalty to his corners and safeties than most positions, which is why he even considered pursuing higher profile outside help at that position in the first place, like Jason McCourty or Stephon Gilmore himself.
They opened up about $35M of cap space from COVID opt outs. Also, this isn’t a $15.5M raise, it’s closer to a $4M raise. He was already making ~$11M before this.
Yeah, I wasn’t following Zach’s math …