KEY POINTS

  • The Los Angeles Rams have been linked to signing Stephon Gilmore
  • Gilmore is expected to play alongside Jalen Ramsey
  • Gilmore's presence could make the Rams a team to watch next season

The Los Angeles Rams are seemingly not over upgrading their entire roster as reports of going after former Super Bowl-winning cornerback Stephon Gilmore emerged.

Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reported on this development, stating that the Rams have remained in contact with the former New England Patriot.

“The Rams have been in contact with (Stephon) Gilmore this offseason, a source said. If signed, Gilmore would occupy the outside cornerback role opposite Jalen Ramsey. If and when Ramsey moves into the 'Star' position, either Robert Rochell or David Long Jr. can play the other outside spot,” wrote Rodrigue.

Gilmore found himself with the Carolina Panthers after the Patriots decided to trade him for a 2023 sixth-round pick, ending his stellar run with the franchise that made him a household name.

Despite starting the 2021-22 NFL season on the physically unable to perform list with a partially torn quad, Gilmore was still able to put up an impressive showing in eight games played which earned him his fifth Pro Bowl nod.

In his lone season with the Panthers, the stats that he put up (two interceptions with no forced fumbles) failed to showcase his potential impact with the Rams as he lines up alongside elite cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Having two speedy shutdown corners on either side of the secondary will surely have most opposing quarterbacks wary of throwing the deep ball along the sidelines.

In his prime season with the Patriots back in the 2019-20 season, Gilmore went for a career-high six interceptions and 20 passes defended across all 16 regular season games which led to him earning Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Repeating the feat with the Rams is certainly going to be a longshot, but entering the new season at the age of 32 means that he might be prioritizing his chances of winning a second Super Bowl title.

Moving to Los Angeles would give him the chance to do so as they have made an effort to go for another trophy this season.

Signing wide receiver Allen Robinson and defensive tackle Bobby Wagner is a surefire sign that they have aspirations of going all in for another title, and adding Gilmore to the group solidifies their great secondary.

Kyle Pitts, Stephon Gilmore
Kyle Pitts #8 of the Atlanta Falcons runs a route while being guarded by Stephon Gilmore #9 of the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 31, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. Mark Brown/Getty Images