Stephon Gilmore retires as a member of the New England Patriots

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore has officially retired as a member of the New England Patriots. Gilmore returned to Gillette Stadium on Friday to sign a ceremonial one-day contract, allowing him to conclude his 13-year professional career with the franchise where he achieved his greatest success.

During his four seasons with the Patriots (2017–2020), Gilmore was a dominant force in the secondary. He helped lead the team to a victory in Super Bowl LIII, notably recording a clutch fourth-quarter interception to seal the win against the Los Angeles Rams. In 2019, he became the first player in Patriots history to be named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a season in which he led the league with six interceptions.

Gilmore’s career spanned six teams, beginning with the Buffalo Bills, where he was the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Following his tenure in New England, he played for the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings. He retires with five Pro Bowl selections, two first-team All-Pro honors, and 32 career interceptions.