Over the last few years, the Patriots have lost every member of the dynasty team either by cutting them outright or letting them leave in free agency, becoming the official sign that the best days are in the rearview mirror. That has led fans to hope some of them will eventually return after spending time with other teams, including a beloved cornerback who remains unsigned this season.
That is the latest feeling surrounding former Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, who Bill Belichick traded to the Panthers in 2021 after disputes over his contract, and the cornerback has since impressed with four other teams.
However, he wasn't signed before the 2025 season, and, going into Week 15, remains unsigned and is hoping a team will make the call sooner rather than later. Considering he was still performing at a high level for the Vikings in 2024, it's surprising that he is not on any roster with the playoffs right around the corner.
And because of that, it looks like Gilmore is hoping to increase any potential interest in him with just a few weeks left of the regular season, and his latest tease would be a nightmare scenario for the Patriots.
Stephon Gilmore returning to the AFC East would be a hard watch for Patriots fans
In the days leading to the slate of Week 14 games, Gilmore responded to a fan on Twitter/X about returning to where his career started: Buffalo. Before he signed with the Patriots, the cornerback spent the first four years of his career with the Bills, making a name for himself that allowed him to earn a massive contract from New England.
He went on to accomplish his best success in Foxboro, and Patriots fans never wanted him to leave and remain frustrated about Belichick trading him, so seeing him tease a return to the Bills is not something any fan wants to see.
— The Gilly Lock (@BumpNrunGilm0re) December 5, 2025
Considering the need for better cornerback production is high in Buffalo, it wouldn't be shocking to hear that the Bills call up Gilmore or even eventually sign him for the remainder of the 2025 season.
There have long been talks about the Patriots doing that this year, with some iffy performances by Carlton Davis III and with Christian Gonzalez missing the first four games of the season, but that has dwindled in recent weeks with stellar production from the group.
While that's certainly good for New England, it won't be good for their offense to line up across Gilmore in Week 15 if the Bills sign him, or if they meet again in the playoffs. It would be great for Gilmore to get back in the league, but Patriots fans don't want to see their team have to play against one of their favorite players of the second half of the dynasty.
With just a few weeks left of the regular season and teams will begin to become desperate to improve their chances of making the Super Bowl, seeing what happens with Gilmore will become something Patriots fans will inevitably pay attention to, and rightfully so.