Getty Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore
The Dallas Cowboys are in the middle of the NFC race, but they are forecast to lose a key cog in the machine. Dallas made a major move by adding corner Stephon Gilmore in the 2023 offseason. But they could lose him to free agency in 2024.
At least that’s what Bleacher Report Matt Holder suggested. In B/R’s November 20 story on each NFL team’s weakness after Week 11, Holder suggested that Gilmore would sign with the San Francisco 49ers.
“Gilmore could come in and be a good No. 2 corner behind Charvarius Ward,” Holder wrote. “The 12-year veteran would fit into the 49ers’ ball-hawking defense well with his 31 career interceptions, and he might be willing to take a cheaper deal to play for a Super Bowl contender at this stage in his career.”
Gilmore has been an important presence for the Cowboys in 2023, especially after Trevon Diggs was sidelined for the season with an ACL injury on September 21. Even at 33 years old, Gilmore will be a valuable free agent, with a resume that any team would love to have, including the 49ers.
According to Spotrac, he is projected to get a one-year deal worth $11.1 million, which would make him the 17th highest paid cornerback in the league.
Meanwhile, SB Nation suggested the Cowboys re-sign Gilmore in 2024 as “insurance.”
“Gilmore, playing alongside DaRon Bland, has given Dallas a layer of stability they’d be lost without,” LP Cruz wrote in a story published October 20. “The team signing Gilmore beyond this season would provide some assurance, otherwise they will be venturing into the unknown of searching for a boundary corner while Diggs recovers.”
Gilmore’s Debut Year in Dallas
A former Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, Gilmore needed little introduction when he signed with Dallas. He had been a bit of a mercenary in recent years, but the quality was, and still is, apparent.
Through 10 games, Gilmore has brought down two interceptions as a starter. Pro Football Reference also states that he has 9 passes defended and a 52.2% completion rate in this year.
While he’s not on pace for his DPOY season or his other All-Pro campaign, that is still a fantastic return for the Cowboys. When Diggs went down, there were concerns that a 33-year-old Gilmore could get picked on.
If teams have tried to single him out, they haven’t had consistent success. Gilmore has been a natural fit in Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn’s scheme. As things stand, he looks like he could be a viable starter deep into his 30s.
Cowboys Linked to Corresponding CB Signing
In the same piece that mentions Gilmore as a fit for the 49ers, the Cowboys are linked to current Houston Texans CB Steven Nelson. Heavy Sports’ DJ Siddiqi broke down his view on the fit, but the logic makes sense either way.
Besides Gilmore, Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis will also be a free agent. Lewis has been a mixed bag over his time with Dallas, with injury and miscues sometimes getting in the way. He’s also had years like in 2021, where he totaled 3 INTs and 10 passes defended.
Lewis just turned 28 as well, so it’s an inbetween spot in terms of age. Gilmore is five years older, but has been so solid this year that it’s hard to not want to bring him back. Either way, Dallas is likely saying goodbye to one or both of those corners.