Stephon Gilmore‘s top two suitors look to be in the AFC West, a division that has seen a few impact defenders arrive over the past two weeks. While the Raiders are eyeing the former Defensive Player of the Year, the Chiefs are as well.
The Chiefs have joined the Raiders in discussing a deal with Gilmore, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com notes. The Raiders were connected to Gilmore early in free agency and have ex-Patriot staffers Dave Ziegler and Josh McDaniels running the team, but the veteran cornerback has options.
Gilmore, 31, being patient is unsurprising here, given his quest to see a pay raise during the second half of his Patriots tenure. Gilmore voiced frustration about his Pats contract — a five-year, $65MM deal that became wildly team-friendly as the market moved — in 2020 and 2021, leading to a pay bump for the ’20 season and a trade to the Panthers the following year. Leading up to free agency, Carolina had not closed the door on a Gilmore re-signing. But the team prioritized Donte Jackson, who has since signed an extension.
A Gilmore-Kansas City addition would give the Chiefs additional ammo in an AFC West that has seen defenders Khalil Mack, Chandler Jones, Randy Gregory, D.J. Jones, Sebastian Joseph-Day and ex-Gilmore sidekick J.C. Jackson join the Chiefs’ rivals. The Chiefs lost Charvarius Ward to a $14MM-per-year 49ers deal and saw contributor Mike Hughes sign with the Lions. While Kansas City signed Justin Reid, it looks to come at the expense of a Tyrann Mathieu exit. The Chiefs still have L’Jarius Sneed and Rashad Fenton at corner, but the team is eyeing veterans.
A James Bradberry trade remains on the Chiefs’ radar, Wilson adds. The Giants are looking to move Bradberry, but he is going into a contract year on a $13.4MM salary. That has limited his trade appeal thus far. Kansas City has not spent much on cornerbacks in recent years, but its Tyreek Hill trade has freed up some cash. The defending division champs went to work immediately after dealing Hill, signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Jermaine Carter over the past two days.
Whre my man comments closed b
Whoever doesn’t get him should trade for Bradberry
Man, the Chiefs are going nuts after trading Tyreek and clearing that cap room!! Now, if they can add a Jameson Williams from Bama, they’ll be right back on top..
But don’t discount the role Tyreek.helped play for their offense..He was one of the main reasons they could score so quickly…
However, with a better all-around team, maybe they won’t miss Hill as much, because they’ll have more weapons, a better OL, and a better defense??
I guess only time will tell the tale, so we shall see
I actually think the chiefs will struggle a little next season.
CEH didn’t run the ball that well and they lost their best receiver who played a huge role on this offence. The defence had some question marks and now they have let Mathieu go.
Mahomes I though looked shaky in the offseason.
Couldn’t get a touchdown in the second half against the Bengals and lost that second half 14-3 and threw 2 INTs…
Last season they lost 1 game to the chargers and the other went to overtime, the raiders they smacked 2 times but they had struggles against Denver.
Year before that they lost to the raiders and them beat them by 4 and Chargers lost against them and won in OT.
With the upgrades in their division I actually see them not being as successful as in the past.
That o line right side is weak, receivers aren’t as good, RB still an issue, lost your star safety..
I know it’s an unpopular opinion but I think the AFC west will finish Chargers, Denver, Chiefs and Raiders.
CEH – 4.3yds per carry in 13 games
Added Ronald Jones – 4.2 yds per carry
Lost Tyreek Hill
Added JuJu and MVS – Still have Hardman, Gordon, Kelce
Offensive line was rated 5th.
Breakdown (Scores are PFF, right side were rookies FYI)
LT Orlando Brown Jr. | 75.1
LG Joe Thuney | 80.6
C Creed Humphrey | 91.4
RG Trey Smith | 72.1
RT Lucas Niang | 64.6
Lost Tyrann Mathieu
Added Justin Reid
Chiefs will be fine with 8 picks in the first 135 and 12 overall.
No way they are finishing 3rd in the division.