Report: Patriots explored trading Gilmore during draft, camp

The New England Patriots explored trading star cornerback Stephon Gilmore both before the draft and during training camp, according to MMQB's Albert Breer.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year reportedly received a $5-million salary bump ahead of Week 1, seemingly securing his place with New England for at least this season.

The decision to shop Gilmore was reportedly due to the Patriots' lack of cap space.

"There was a point where they had less than $1 million underneath the salary cap," Breer said, according to Darren Hartwell of NBC Sports. "Stephon Gilmore was one of the few people they could go to who could make a significant difference there, and I can tell you this: He wasn't going to renegotiate his contract."

Gilmore secured the DPOY award and his second straight first-team All-Pro nod last season after racking up six interceptions, 20 pass defenses, and 53 total tackles.

The 29-year-old has two years remaining on the five-year, $65-million contract he signed as a free agent in 2017.