Are the Carolina Panthers really going to let Stephon Gilmore walk?

Stephon Gilmore could be leaving the Carolina Panthers after a short stay in free agency, and he deserves one last shot at winning a Super Bowl.

We are just a few short hours away from free agency getting underway. This is always an important time of year and there is a lot on the line for the Carolina Panthers in the coming weeks as they look to somehow turn this roster into one capable of challenging for the postseason.

The Panthers managed to get just over $31 million in salary-cap space to make the necessary moves. But much hard work is ahead and there is also the small matter of pending free agents of their own on the lookout for new deals.

Stephon Gilmore falls into this category and it remains to be seen whether or not the All-Pro cornerback comes back. He certainly looked like there was a lot more in the tank after recovering from a torn quad, but this is expected to be the last big contract of his professional career and the South Carolina product might want more than those in power are willing to pay.

Gilmore was acquired during the season for a 2023 sixth-round pick from the New England Patriots and it’s clear he loved playing on home soil. However, if Carolina is hoping the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year will take a discount of any kind to stay, they could be mistaken.

According to Josina Anderson of CBS Sports and USA Today, who spoke to Gilmore earlier this week, the cornerback is taking everything in his stride and is flattered by other players from across the league trying to get him on board for the 2022 season in their own way.

"“I’m excited to weigh all options. I just want to be in a place where I can continue to win and also get a good deal. A lot of players in the league have been trying to recruit me and that’s cool, but time will tell soon.”"

These comments aren’t exactly going to fill Carolina fans with hope regarding an extension. The Panthers will get a compensatory pick in the event Gilmore does take his chances elsewhere, but his departure is going to be a blow to a cornerback unit that has talent but could use his veteran presence next season.

If Donte Jackson also leaves in free agency, Carolina would be relying on Keith Taylor Jr. and C.J. Henderson making some serious strides, A.J. Bouye producing more consistently, and Jaycee Horn returning from injury to become a true shutdown presence at the position.

In truth, Gilmore probably deserves one more shot at winning another Super Bowl. And there will be plenty of championship-caliber teams that will be aiming to secure his services in the not-too-distant future.

It was fun while it lasted. Gilmore was instantly taken as one of their own by Carolina’s loyal fanbase and nobody could deny his production wasn’t top drawer before injury denied him the final few games of the campaign.

Carolina cannot afford even one false move this offseason with so much at stake for head coach Matt Rhule. Only time will tell as to whether letting a player of Gilmore’s credentials walk out of the door is something they go on to regret in a big way.