Could cryptic tweets signal the end of Stephon Gilmore in Carolina?

Could some cryptic tweets from Stephon Gilmore and his wife spell the end of the cornerback’s time with the Carolina Panthers?

We live in a time when every move made by professional athletes on social media gets scrutinized heavily. Whether it’s Kyler Murray deleting all association with the Arizona Cardinals from his Instagram to Aaron Rodgers’ goodbye to the Green Bay Packers that turned out to be anything but, this modern culture is fascinating, sometimes infuriating, and certainly isn’t going away anytime soon.

One such example came early on Wednesday morning courtesy of Carolina Panthers cornerback Stephon Gilmore and his wife Gabrielle. Depending on what context these are taken, it has thrown fresh down on the pending free agent’s future with the organization that only began with an in-season trade from the New England Patriots a few short months ago.

Gilmore certainly looked the part when he came back from a torn quad, demonstrating the lockdown capabilities that have made him a Super Bowl winner, Pro Bowler, first-team All-Pro, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year throughout a glittering career to date.

However, the player’s time back home in Carolina might be short-lived. Especially if fans want to read a lot into the tweets which were published on the social media platform within minutes of each other.

Losing Stephon Gilmore would be a blow for the Carolina Panthers

This could be something and nothing. Nobody will know for sure until confirmation comes from the team, an NFL insider such as Adam Schefter, the player, or his representatives.

However, if the Panthers have come to the conclusion that Gilmore’s services are no longer required for whatever reason, it’s a significant call to make despite boasting some young talent within the cornerback room.

Players of Gilmore’s caliber don’t grow on trees. Although he leads by example rather than vocal presence, it’s evident his presence had a big-time benefit on the likes of Jaycee Horn, which would have been highly beneficial in 2022 or possibly beyond.

Money is tight in Carolina, obviously. But with Donte Jackson also out of contract and looking for a payday, losing both would be nothing short of a catastrophe for the Panthers and one that could come back to haunt them in a big way.

Again, it’s important to state nothing has been confirmed. And this sort of post often brings an overreaction from fans who want the corner to stick around.

However, it is another layer to the fact Gilmore might not be extended. If this turns out to be the case then there should be an incredible amount of interest on the free-agent market and could even give the South Carolina product one more shot at hoisting the Vince Lombardi Trophy once again in the right fit.

The Panthers will reportedly get a Day 3 pick as compensation if Gilmore does leave for pastures new. But good luck finding a fifth-round selection capable of matching his production and overall influence.

Only time will tell as to whether these tweets will amount to anything or not. What it did portray was the increasing sense of nervousness within Carolina’s disenchanted fanbase regarding how those in power will approach a crucial offseason period for the franchise.

Strap yourselves in, it promises to be a bumpy ride.