A number of high-profiles defensive backs are still on the open market with minicamps now in the books. Several of those players are safeties, but the group of available cornerbacks includes Stephon Gilmore. 
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year was connected to a deal with the Panthers earlier this offseason, but no agreement on that front is considered imminent. Plenty of other suitors could emerge over the summer, either in the break between offseason programs and the start of training camps or even later following an injury. Gilmore intends to remain patient as a free agent at this point, and one outcome he would consider is a return to New England.
Following a five-year run in Buffalo to begin his career, Gilmore signed a five-year, $65MM deal with the Patriots. He spent four years with the team prior to being dealt to the Panthers. During that span, he earned three Pro Bowl invitations along with a pair of first-team All-Pro nominations and his DPoY nod. It remains to be seen if New England will pursue a reunion, but Gilmore publicly stated an openness to re-joining the team.
“You never know. I’ll weigh any options,” the 33-year-old said during an appearance at Tom Brady‘s Patriots Hall of Fame induction ceremony (via MassLive’s Nick O’Malley). “This is a place that I played great ball, so just letting it play out how it’s gonna be.”
Gilmore played an injury-shortened season with the Panthers in 2021, but he has remained healthy since then. Between his campaigns with the Colts (2022) and Cowboys (2023), the South Carolina alum has totaled four interceptions and 21 pass breakups while logging over 1,000 snaps both years. He will provide starting-caliber play to any new (or familiar) team once he signs.
The Patriots’ cornerback room contains the likes of Christian Gonzalez, Jonathan Jones, Marco Wilson, Marcus Jones and Isaiah Bolden as things stand. The team currently leads the league in cap space with over $45MM available to spend. Gilmore’s price tag will of course depend on the interest shown by other teams, and he noted no serious contract talks with New England have taken place to date. If that were to change this summer, he could represent a notable late-offseason addition for one of his former squads.