Door might be officially closed for this hopeful Patriots reunion

When the Patriots' 2024 offseason began, there was a clear path they'd have to go down once free agency began. The offense needed to be prioritized, even more so in the draft, and the defense would mostly need depth pieces added to the roster.

Because they have been the better part of the team for the last few years, there wasn't as much urgency to boost the defense in the same way as the offense, as they were the main reason for the team's struggles throughout the 2023 season.

However, because the new regime led by Jerod Mayo and Eliot Wolf chose not to re-sign cornerbacks like Myles Bryant, J.C. Jackson, and Jalen Mills, the secondary needs some quality players, some of them remain free agents just a week before training camp.

Stephon Gilmore is one of the most desirable to Patriots fans, as the Cowboys appear to have moved on from keeping him for the season ahead. It's a reunion that feels like years in the making, mainly since how his tenure ended in 2021 was not how anyone envisioned it.

He has spoken about his desire to return to where he saw his most success in the past, even suggesting wanting to retire in New England or coach there eventually, but that might be changing now that he is still looking for a team to play for this fall.

Stephon Gilmore might not want the Patriots reunion after all

NFL insider Josina Anderson spoke to Gilmore about his free agent status this past week. She shared his take on why he remains unsigned, to which he explained he doesn't feel it's because teams view him as a talentless player, citing Justin Simmons' continued free agency as proof.

Gilmore reiterated his desire to be a starter for a team moving forward and doesn't feel 64 starting cornerbacks in the league are better than him right now.

That right there might be why we won't see Gilmore on the Patriots roster this fall.

Christian Gonzalez and Jonathan Jones will lead the cornerback room, with Alex Austin and Marcus Jones in the mix when needed. The depth is more questionable than their starters, which would be a great reason to add Gilmore. But if he wants to be one of the two on the field for the most snaps, a Patriots reunion might not be the right place for him.

He has the right to continue as a starter and has proven he can do just that—his production last season proves that and more, which is an unfortunate development in the hopes of reuniting with a beloved former Patriot.

Maybe it will happen in the future, or if the Patriots are the only team to show interest, perhaps Gilmore will reconsider. But for now, it might be best to shelf our hopes of seeing him back in a Patriots uniform this fall.

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