Former DPOY Gilmore retires after 13 NFL seasons
Former Defensive Player of the Year and five-time Pro Bowl cornerback Stephon Gilmore announced his retirement Thursday, ending his decorated career after 13 NFL seasons.
Gilmore, 35, didn't play last year. He last suited up for the Minnesota Vikings during the 2024 campaign.
"I have had an incredible 13 years in the league, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds," Gilmore wrote on Instagram.
Gilmore began his career as a top-10 pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2012. He spent five seasons with the Bills before joining the New England Patriots, with whom he had the best moments of his NFL journey.
The former South Carolina star established himself as one of football's premier cornerbacks in New England, earning two first-team All-Pro berths and helping the Patriots win Super Bowl LIII. In 2019, he led the league in interceptions and pass breakups en route to claiming the Defensive Player of the Year award.
After four seasons with the Patriots, Gilmore had one-year stints with the Carolina Panthers (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas Cowboys (2023), and Vikings (2024).
Gilmore retires with 149 pass breakups and 32 interceptions across 180 NFL appearances.