Former 5× Pro Bowl Patriots Star Agrees to Pay Cut to Return and Help Team Overcome CB Injury Crisis
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Former 5× Pro Bowl Patriots Star Agrees to Pay Cut to Return and Help Team Overcome CB Injury Crisis
Foxborough, September 27, 2025
As the New England Patriots face a severe injury crisis at the cornerback position, a familiar face has unexpectedly stepped forward, ready to make sacrifices to help his former team: Stephon Gilmore.
At 35 years old, Gilmore – the former defensive leader who won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 and earned 5 Pro Bowl selections – still possesses robust physical condition and vast experience. He left the Patriots in 2021, making stops with the Panthers, Colts, and Cowboys. However, with the Patriots losing Marcellas Dial Jr. to a torn ACL and Christian Gonzalez to a hamstring injury, the possibility of a reunion is hotter than ever.
In a recent interview, Gilmore moved Patriots fans when he declared:
“Money has never been everything to me. I’ve had glory here, won a Super Bowl with New England. Now, if the team needs me, I’m ready to take a pay cut to come back. For me, wearing the Patriots jersey one more time is more important than any lucrative contract.”
This heartfelt statement quickly spread like wildfire on social media, with thousands of Patriots fans calling for the team to bring Gilmore back. One fan wrote: “He’s not just a player, but a symbol of loyalty. We need him right now.”
The Patriots have not yet made an official announcement, but sources within the organization acknowledge they are considering options to bolster the roster. With his vast experience and willingness to sacrifice, Stephon Gilmore’s return would not only fill the defensive gap but also ignite the fighting spirit in the locker room.
As the Patriots head into a critical phase of the 2025 season, the return of a “hero” like Gilmore could be the biggest morale boost the team needs to weather the storm.