5 recent Carolina Panthers departures who could win a Super Bowl in 2022
By Dean Jones
Indianapolis Colts. STEPHON GILMORE. 4. player. 46. . CB
Stephon Gilmore – Former Carolina Panthers CB
Once the Carolina Panthers gave Donte Jackson a lucrative contract extension this offseason, the writing was on the wall for Stephon Gilmore. The All-Pro cornerback arrived at the organization in a trade with the New England Patriots, but he took time to recover from a torn quad and also ended the season injured, restricting him to just nine games and eight starts.
Gilmore did make the Pro Bowl and his man-coverage clinic on Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts was a masterclass that won’t soon be forgotten by anyone that witnessed it. But the Panthers opted to go with the younger option rather than give the South Carolina product another deal.
The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year took his time in free agency before opting to join the Indianapolis Colts. Something that further bolsters a defense that has a lot going for it in 2022.
Indianapolis is quietly fancied to make a playoff surge next season after acquiring quarterback Matt Ryan via trade from the Falcons. They also have one of the league’s most explosive running backs in Jonathan Taylor to lean on behind a formidable offensive line.
If Gilmore can stay healthy and return to something like his old form, then the Colts could go from a dark horse to a leading contender in no time at all. The player will also be extra motivated to prove some doubters wrong and who knows, it might end up with another Super Bowl ring if everything goes better than anticipated.