Even Stephon Gilmore knows he should win Defensive Player of the Year

New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore said there’s “no question” he should win the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award this year.

Fresh on the heels of yet another stellar performance this year, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore didn’t mince words when asked about what kind of recognition he deserves for the season he’s having.

Appearing as a guest on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Zolak & Bertrand show,” Gilmore was asked if he believes he should win the NFL’s prestigious Defensive Player of the Year award.

“I mean, my play speaks for itself,” Gilmore said, according to USA Today’s Isaiah Houde. “If you really watch the tape each and every game, there’s no question.”

Gilmore was once again dominant this past weekend against the hapless Cincinnati Bengals. He held the Bengals’ top wideout, Tyler Boyd, to just three catches for 26 yards on seven targets all day, and he also picked off Cincinnati quarterback Andy Dalton twice. The first was a beautiful one-handed grab that displayed Gilmore’s remarkable hands and concentration; the second was a 64-yard pick-six that showed off his blazing speed and breakaway athleticism.

Somehow it wasn’t enough to earn “Gilly-Lock” AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors, which instead went to his old teammate on the Bills – fellow cornerback Tre’Davious White. White also had two interceptions in his game against the Steelers off an equally subpar quarterback, but he didn’t score a touchdown.

Can anyone from the NFL explain this logic?

That being said, Gilmore’s sights are set a lot higher than Defensive Player of the Week in his conference.

Now in his third season as a Patriot, Gilmore is making a strong case to be the Defensive Player of the Year in his league. He just secured his second consecutive Pro Bowl nod (third overall in his career), and he’ll surely capture his second consecutive recognition as being a First-team All-Pro at the end of the year as well.

Now all that remains to be seen is whether Gilmore can become the first cornerback to win the award since Charles Woodson won it back in 2009 with the Green Bay Packers.

Gilmore faces his stiffest competition from the reigning Defensive Player of the Year – Aaron Donald of the L.A. Rams – who has won it twice in a row now. He also might need to fend off the Pittsburgh Steelers’ T.J. Watt as well. If Gilmore closes the season strong – particularly if he manages to snag at least another pick or two, or cause a fumble/recover a fumble – he should win the award over these others though.