SEALED: Dallas Cowboys have recently closed a huge, massive deal.
Notwithstanding a dismal conclusion to their 2023 campaign, the Dallas Cowboys have lofty goals for 2024.
It seems that the Cowboys are determined to field the best team possible for the upcoming season, as evidenced by team owner Jerry Jones’ apparent vote of confidence in head coach Mike McCarthy and their desire to forget the painful memory of their 48-32 loss to the Green Bay Packers on wild card weekend.
Will that entail making investments to keep veteran reserves on hand?
The way they handle cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who will soon be a free agent, may hold the key to the answer to that query.
In 2024, will Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore still be the defensive backs for the Dallas Cowboys?
In 2024, will Trevon Diggs and Stephon Gilmore still be the defensive backs for the Dallas Cowboys?
Credit: Images from USA Today
The soon-to-be unrestricted free agent played in all 17 of Dallas’ games this season, recording 68 total tackles, 13 passes defensed, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. Although Gilmore’s contributions to the Cowboys team were not as evident as his on-field abilities, his leadership qualities were just as important.
After being traded for a compensatory fifth-round selection in March 2023, Gilmore was acquired from the Indianapolis Colts. He was expected to provide experience to the Cowboys secondary, sitting opposite star cornerback Trevon Diggs. Unfortunately, Diggs’ season was cut short by an ACL tear sustained during one-on-one practice drills in September. Gilmore was consequently once more required to play a significant part in maintaining the focus of Dallas’ cornerback room.
Second-year cornerback DaRon Bland emerged as the Cowboys’ primary option at the position, leading the NFL with nine interceptions and breaking up 15 passes, despite still having the talent to lead the team’s secondary. adopting in the secondary Diggs’ aggressive style of playmaking. After all, Diggs had the most interceptions of any cornerback in 2021, which helped him earn a spot on the first team of the All-Pro team. Even though he only recorded three picks in 2022, the 23-year-old is still regarded as one of the best players at his position.
Even though Bland and Diggs feel most at ease when covering ground on the right side, it is difficult to imagine a situation in which in 2024 both corners do not begin on the outside edges of the team’s defensive backfield.
Thus, the question of “What should we do with Gilmore?” still stands.
He has been one of the best players at his position for a number of years, despite being 33 years old. The former standout player from South Carolina played for the Buffalo Bills for his first five seasons, making the Pro Bowl in 2016. However, after agreeing to a lucrative free-agent contract with the New England Patriots in 2017, Gilmore became a top defensive back.
He was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 after leading the league with six interceptions and 20 passes defensed during his four seasons with the Pats. In addition, he was selected to four Pro Bowls, was selected to the first team of the Pro Bowl twice, and was a part of the Super Bowl LIII winning team.
In October 2021, Gilmore was traded to the Carolina Panthers, where he was selected for a fifth Pro Bowl. He signed a contract with Indianapolis before the 2022 season got underway. Despite seeing a slight decline in his stats from his time in New England, Gilmore concluded his one and only season with the Colts with 66 total tackles, 11 passes defensed, and two interceptions.
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Despite Gilmore’s leadership qualities and on-field prowess making him a strong candidate, the Cowboys might find his asking price excessive given the potential return on investment. According to OverTheCap, his 2024 valuation is projected to be $7.6 million annually. On the other hand, Dallas plans to free up cap space as we approach the new league season and may use that money to address more pressing needs.
Given that Diggs inked a five-year, $97 million contract extension with the Cowboys last July, it appears that he is a fixture in the team’s plans. Diggs appears to be staying in Dallas, at least for the near future, unless they are able to find a trade partner for the 2021 All-Pro after June 1st, a move that would earn them approximately $11 million in cap savings. Considering Bland’s rise and his much more affordable $1.06 million cap figure, the Cowboys may find that keeping Gilmore in the fold until 2024 proves to be too costly.
