6 big winners from the Carolina Panthers trade for Stephon Gilmore

Who were the big winners from the Carolina Panthers trading for All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore?

Under previous regimes, the Carolina Panthers would probably have waited and taken their chances of landing Stephon Gilmore on the free-agent market.

However, times are indeed changing.

In a bombshell move on Tuesday afternoon, the Panthers acquired Gilmore from the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick in 2023, which represents yet another shrewd bit of business by the front office. One that indicates the rebuilding phase is proceeding faster than expected.

Gilmore is an All-Pro and was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. Carolina won’t have him available until Week 7 against the New York Giants, but providing everything is smooth from a health standpoint, it’s a significant asset for the organization to call upon.

Without further ado, here are six big winners from the Panthers trading for Gilmore.

Winner No. 1

Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers S

This move is great for someone like Jeremy Chinn. Stephon Gilmore is one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in the business and once he gets into the lineup, the Carolina Panthers can use the 2020 second-round pick more freely to maximize his production.

It’s been a solid if not spectacular start to Chinn’s sophomore year. Something that wasn’t entirely unexpected with the Southern Illinois product transitioning back to safety after starring as an outside linebacker during his rookie campaign.

Now the Panthers have yet another player to assist in coverage, Chinn won’t have to worry about this element of the game too much and can focus on what he does best – being instinctive and making big-time plays.