The Bills hired Sean McDermott to be their new head coach and he declined to franchise tag Gilmore. He entered contract negotiations with the Chicago Bears but was unable to reach a deal. On March 9, 2017, the New England Patriots signed Gilmore to a five-year, $65 million contract that includes $31 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $18 million.
The American football cornerback Stephon Gilmore plays for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He played college football in South Carolina.States
The Buffalo Bills selected Gilmore in the first round (10th overall) of the 2012 NFL Draft. He was the second cornerback selected behind Morris Claiborne and was the highest-selected Gamecocks’ cornerback since Dunta Robinson in 2004.
Gilmore entered the 2018 season as the Patriots’ No. 1 cornerback alongside Eric Rowe.
During the season-opener, Gilmore recorded a season-high eight combined tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted Deshaun Watson in a 27–20 win over the Houston Texans.
Gilmore was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month on October 31, 2019.
On August 31, 2021, Gilmore was placed on the reserve/physically unable to perform list to start the season due to the quad injury he suffered the previous season.
Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers on October 6, 2021, in exchange for a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft. He appeared in eight games for Carolina, starting three, totaling 16 tackles and two interceptions.