Well, how about this for timing?
Two days after the Las Vegas’ Raiders cornerback position was struck by the injury bug, a premier player at the position is likely to hit the market later very soon. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that the New England Patriots will release injured star cornerback Stephon Gilmore later on Wednesday. Of course, he could be traded by the 1 p.m. PT deadline.
A stunner: Patriots are releasing four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who was eligible to come off the Physically Unable to Perform List after Week 6, source tells ESPN. pic.twitter.com/31H8KQF8hq
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021
This surprise early-morning news has to be of interest within the walls of the Raiders’ Henderson, Nevada facility. The team is beat up at cornerback. Starter Trayvon Mullen left the field on a cart during Monday night’s loss at the Los Angeles Chargers with a foot injury. Backup Damon Arnette left with a groin injury, and rookie slot cornerback Nate Hobbs left with a concussion. Coach Jon Gruden said there that is a chance that some of the injuries could be serious.
Gruden loves star players, so certainly this situation will intrigue the Raiders. Of course, securing him won’t be easy. It may require a trade, but if Gilmore does get to the open market, he won’t come cheap and there will be a lot of interest as illustrated by these below tweets:
The market for Stephon Gilmore, the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, is expected to be robust. Multiple teams are expected to be interested, and the 31-year-old Gilmore should be recovered from his quad injury in the coming weeks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 6, 2021
My understanding is that SFA CB Stephon Gilmore who was set to earn $7M in base salary this season is looking to earn at least $15M a year on the open market now. There are several teams that can look to bolster their secondary with attrition already kicking in by week 5. https://t.co/ndlhoWFLjC
— IG: JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) October 6, 2021
In the end, will the Raiders be players in the Gilmore sweepstakes? It wouldn’t shock me.
