98.5 The Sports Hub staff report
The New England Patriots may be selling off their top piece this deadline, as the team has reportedly discussed trading All-Pro cornerback and reigning Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, according to MMQB’s Albert Breer.
“They gotta be real honest about where they are from a building standpoint,” Breer said of the Patriots’ deadline plans during an appearance on NBC Sports Boston’s Pregame Live last Sunday. “And if you’re not gonna compete for a championship — which I think is always going to be the bar here as long as Bill Belichick’s here — you’re gonna have to see what you can get for Stephon Gilmore. Because I think chances are, he’s not gonna be on the team in 2021.”
New England’s top trade chip on either side of the ball, the 30-year-old Gilmore, who went through a COVID-19 battle earlier this season, has totaled 20 tackles with an interception and two passes defensed in six games this season.
As mentioned by Breer, Gilmore’s potential exit from New England may come with the Patriots struggling to the tune of three straight defeats and 2-4 on the year, and with Gilmore likely looking for another raise in 2021 after getting a bump earlier this year.
It also wouldn’t be the first time that the Patriots have discussed moving on from Gilmore.
“They have talked about the idea of trading Stephon Gilmore,” Breer offered. “They were in contract with other teams on this in March and April and then again in August.”
(Felger & Mazz producer Jimmy Stewart has also talked about Gilmore potentially being on the block.)
But the Patriots may have to temper their expectations on a potential Gilmore trade, making the situation a bit more complicated as the Patriots find themselves entering must-win territory with their schedule.
“The question then becomes what you’re willing to take for him because I don’t think it’s gonna be a first-round pick,” Breer, citing Gilmore’s age, offered. “I don’t think you’re getting a first-round pick for him. But if you’re willing to move him for a second- or third-round pick, I think there could be a market for him.”
The NFL trade deadline is at 4 p.m. on Nov. 3.
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