Cowboys free agent profile 2024: CB Stephon Gilmore.

The Dallas Cowboys have sixteen players who will enter free agency on March 13th. Nearly half of the sixteen were key contributors in 2023, indicating that the Cowboys will face some difficult decisions over the next month and a half.

Today, we continue our free agent profile series by examining at Dallas’ 16 imminent free agents. Our next profile focuses on another defense, veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore.

Year Review: Stephon Gilmore had high expectations for 2023. The 33-year-old cornerback was Dallas’ biggest defensive acquisition of the summer, and the Cowboys’ aggressive trade for Gilmore bolstered their secondary significantly.

Gilmore’s expectations soared after fellow cornerback Trevon Diggs suffered a season-ending injury in September. Now, Dallas needed Gilmore to take over as their number one cornerback and perform as well as the All-Pro Diggs.

Dallas didn’t need Gilmore to be the Defensive Player of the Year and finest cornerback in football like he was in 2019, but he did need to be incredibly productive and help slow down other teams’ best offensive players.

Fortunately for the Cowboys, the veteran cornerback delivered outstanding results. Gilmore allowed only 54 receptions on 95 targets this year, for a 56.8% reception rate, his best since his DPOY season in 2019. Gilmore’s nine PBUs were also his most since the dominant 2019 season.

Without Gilmore, Dallas’ defense would not have had nearly as much success as it did last season. Despite struggling with a shoulder ailment during Dallas’ playoff loss to the Packers, the Cowboys are pleased with Gilmore’s season and his acquisition for a fifth-round pick.

Free Agency Outlook: At 33, it appears that Gilmore’s next contract will be for one year. Spotrac and Pro Football Focus expect him to sign a one-year contract worth $11 million and $10 million, respectively.

The cornerback class surrounding Gilmore isn’t terrific, but if Jaylon Johnson of the Bears and L’Jarius Sneed of the Chiefs aren’t franchised and are allowed to enter free agency, the amount of clubs interested in the veteran may decrease. Still, every team requires backup aid, and Gilmore has demonstrated that he is still capable of playing at a high level.

At this point in his career, Gilmore would want to sign with a team that can compete for a Super Bowl and offer him a chance to win another championship. Teams such as the Texans, Lions, Bengals, and Chiefs, as well as the Cowboys, may be interested in acquiring him in free agency.

Cowboys Verdict: Gilmore expressed interest in returning to Dallas during the offseason. During Super Bowl week, Gilmore told Radio Row the following about the Cowboys and his probable return. “I for sure think we have the pieces to get where we want to be, and I want to be a part of that.”

It appears that Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer will encourage the Dallas front staff to bring Gilmore back, and a reunion makes a lot of sense for both sides.

Overall, Tyron Smith and Stephon Gilmore are the two in-house free agents. Dallas cannot afford to lose, and they will most likely do everything possible to ensure that both players wear the star on their helmets next season.