Unsigned Viking Hasn’t Closed the Door Just Yet
Stephon Gilmore, at age 34, played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, and even though no team has signed him through four months of free agency, he’s not ready to retire.
Former Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore says he’s still down to play in 2025, but only under the right circumstances. This is the latest and where he might land.
Source? Him.
Gilmore joined The Money Down podcast last week, explaining his high-level plan to play in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowler will give it a go this season with an unknown team.
Unsigned Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore Isn’t Walking Away
Rather than retiring, Gilmore will play at least one more season.
Stephon Gilmore Won’t Retire Just Yet
Gilmore wasn’t shy on The Money Down podcast about his intent to sign with an NFL team this summer and contribute in the regular season.
He said, “I want to play this year, it’s just got to be the right situation. It’s got to be the right situation for me. I’m not just gonna sign anywhere. I still love the game. I still can contribute. It’s just got to be the right place.”
The “right situation” likely means that Gilmore doesn’t want to be buried on the bench for some cornerback-needy team. While he was not impeccable with the Vikings in 2024, Gilmore’s dependability helped Minnesota get by after Khyree Jackson’s tragic death and Mekhi Blackmon’s unfortunate ACL tear.
Gilmore merely needs the right fit for Year No. 14.
Uncertainty Early in the Offseason
When the offseason began, Gilmore told the masses that he’d sit down with his family and plot his next steps. Retirement was on the table.
But after nearly six months of the offseason, he arrived at the go-live conclusion, deciding he has one more season left in the tank. Gilmore played 15 games for the 2024 Vikings, or 88%, and logged a decent 94.1 passer-rating-against.
A Vikings Reunion?
What’s more, Gilmore could somewhat realistically end up back in Minnesota. For example, nobody foresaw the Khyree Jackson and Mekhi Blackmon circumstance last year, but when the roster need emerged, Gilmore stepped up to the plate and delivered.
Hopefully, the Vikings don’t need any extra defensive back depth, but in a sport guaranteed to involve injuries, a reunion cannot be ruled out.
Gilmore’s 2024 teammate with the Vikings, Shaquill Griffin, signed with the Seattle Seahawks late last month. He, too, was linked to the Vikings in the cornerback rumor mill.
Other Landing Spots for Gilmore
It’s worth noting that Gilmore, the most experienced veteran cornerback on the free-agent wire, has been mentioned as an option for oodles of NFL teams this spring and summer.
Popular destinations include the Arizona Cardinals, Cincinnati Bengals, Dallas Cowboys, and New Orleans Saints. A return to the Buffalo Bills could make sense, as well, as one of Gilmore’s coaches from the Patriots days, Mike Pellegrino, is on the Bills’ defensive coaching staff.
Gilmore has all kinds of coach and coordinator connections around the NFL, a product of playing in the league since 2012.
NFL.com on Stephon Gilmore
Bobby Kownack wrote of NFL.com about Gilmore’s free agency last week, “Looking for his next challenge, his next perfect fit, is also nothing new to Gilmore. After beginning his career playing five seasons on the Bills and four on the Patriots, Gilmore has become somewhat of a mercenary.”
“He hasn’t stayed in the same spot since his final year with New England in 2020. From 2021-24, he’s suited up for the Panthers, Colts, Cowboys and Vikings. What would be the right situation for an aging great CB, who is set to turn 35 in September? Perhaps it’s a return to a former team, a squad threatening for a Super Bowl or one that experiences an injury in training camp.”
Generally speaking, when Gilmore is ready, he should have no problem whatsoever finding work for one final hurrah. He’s that established.
Kownack added, “Gilmore still played the large majority of his 2024 snaps out wide at corner (772), but he also came up in the box on 109 plays, and his 77.6 PFF run coverage grade ranked 22nd among cornerbacks. Could there be a team hoping to see what he can do at safety or in a more hybrid role — if he’d be interested in such a thing?”
“Questions remain at this stage. If the answers make sense for both Gilmore and a willing club in the future, he’ll line up for a 14th season ready to make quarterbacks pay.”
Gilmore will turn 35 around Week 3 of the upcoming season.
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