3 reasons the Panthers must extend Stephon Gilmore this offseason
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers would still get elite CB production
Although Stephon Gilmore’s credentials are vast, there was some concern about how the veteran would return from a torn quad. This is a significant injury to come back from and something that the New England Patriots felt wasn’t worth a new deal, which is why he was traded just hours before a scheduled release.
As it turned out, Gilmore certainly looked the part when he was declared fit enough to resume team activities. He was brought along slowly by the Carolina Panthers – which was the right call to make – but there was enough of a sample size to suggest the former first-round pick is still capable of being a shutdown presence.
His work against Kyle Pitts was extraordinary and gave the Atlanta Falcons rookie a welcome to the NFL moment that didn’t go unnoticed by the tight end. Gilmore gave up 68 percent of balls thrown in his direction and conceded a 78.6 passer rating when targeted, which was solid enough and perhaps better than many anticipated after so long away from the gridiron.
If Carolina extended Gilmore and gave him a full offseason to prepare for the 2022 season, there appears little doubt his influence would grow as a result. Elite corners are hard to find, so allowing a one-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year to walk is a decision that might come back to haunt the Panthers.
They would get a compensatory draft pick in this eventuality. But it’s highly unlikely a fifth-round selection is going to have anything like the same impact.