ESPN writer Aaron Schatz made a list of suggestions for each of the 32 teams in the NFL. It could be trades, signings, extensions.
For the Green Bay Packers, it’s a wild proposition. Schatz thinks general manager Brian Gutekunst should sign cornerback Stephon Gilmore, a 33-year-old defensive piece who was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year five seasons ago. Here’s the thought process:
“Here’s another team with questions at their second outside cornerback position. Eric Stokes is penciled in to start opposite Jaire Alexander, but Stokes has played only 12 games in the past two seasons due to different injuries, including ankle and hamstring problems.”
“The Packers need a backup for Stokes with more experience than Corey Ballentine or Carrington Valentine. Gilmore, 33, still has something left in the tank and would be valuable to the Packers even if he couldn’t beat out Stokes for the starting spot in training camp.”
Why it makes sense
In fact, Gilmore is still a capable NFL player. In 2021, the Packers considered signing him had Gilmore been released by the New England Patriots. However, the Carolina Panthers pulled the trigger first, trading a sixth-round pick to acquire the former All-Pro player. At that time, the Packers ended up signing Rasul Douglas away from the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad and all worked out fine for Green Bay.
After half a season with the Panthers, Gilmore spent the 2022 season with the Indianapolis Colts and last year with the Dallas Cowboys.
And even though he is not the player he was in his prime with the Patriots, he was still a solid piece for the Cowboys, finishing the season with a 74.4 PFF grade, including a respectable 72.3 coverage grade. He got beat by Dontayvion Wicks in a playoff touchdown against the Packers in January, but that’s part of the game.
He wouldn’t be a long-term fix, however Eric Stokes is also entering the final year of his contract, so there aren’t long-term assurances on the Packers’ roster either.
Why it doesn’t make sense
The main reason why it won’t work in reality is because the Packers passed up on the opportunity to spend real resources on the cornerback position, showing they are fine with their current group. The Packers passed on Cooper DeJean, Nate Wiggins, and Kool-Aid McKinstry in the first round, for example, prioritizing the offensive line with Jordan Morgan.
“If we can stay healthy there, I like the way the competition in that room is shaping up,” said Brian Gutekunst.
Beyond the perception that Stokes needs to be healthy, the Packers might be higher on second-year player Carrington Valentine than the external perception. He was solid as a rookie seventh-rounder in 2023, and now he seems ready to take another step forward.
“It’s been outstanding. That’s a guy that stands out, quite frankly,” head coach Matt LaFleur said. “He came back, and he definitely looks bigger. He’s stronger and the guy loves football. He loves to compete and I’m excited for him. I think he’s got a really bright future.”
Verdict
The idea of adding Stephon Gilmore isn’t absurd for the Packers. There’s the history of a previous interest, and the position isn’t completely solidified yet. However, Green Bay seems to be satisfied with their current group, at least going into training camp.
If after camp and preseason games the question marks persist, then Gutekunst can realistically look around the market to evaluate more options.
