Cowboys free agent Stephon Gilmore discusses his reasons for not signing with a franchise.
Everyone was ecstatic to be able to pull their original number 21 jerseys out of the cupboard when Ezekiel Elliott returned to the Cowboys headquarters and picked it up. All of that was altered when Zeke and the Dallas Cowboys declared he would wear the number 15, which he wore at Ohio State. When this occurred, there was conjecture as to whether Stephon Gilmore, another player who had worn number 21, might return.
According to recent reports, Gilmore is holding off on selecting which team he will play for this season. In a statement, he also mentioned his desire to select a team at the appropriate moment and his obligations to his family. This makes sense considering his age (33), his significant involvement from the previous year, and the route other elderly veterans have previously traveled. Gilmore’s desire to exercise patience may be the reason he is still available and has not yet been signed. I’m not sure how long he waits, but in the past, more seasoned players have delayed to commit until the season started.
The Cowboys have witnessed this in the past when T.Y. Hilton signed with Dallas late in the season after waiting to see which club would make the playoffs for part of the regular season.
For the time being, it appears that Gilmore will not start the season with Dallas at cornerback. Trevon Diggs, who is recovering from an injury, DaRon Bland (who set a single-season record last year), and Jourdan Lewis (who inked a one-year contract in the winter) will be in it. Watch out for the UDFA cornerbacks who will now be vying for a spot, including Caelen Carson, Eric Scott, Nahshon Wright, and the other obvious starting trio.