The Dallas Cowboys could be in need of some cornerback help come the beginning of the season, depending on how well Trevon Diggs‘ recovery from an ACL tear continues this summer.
Even with Diggs playing, there are question marks on the perimeter, where former Buffalo Bills first round pick, Kair Elam, is currently listed as the starter as he attempts to kick-start what has been an underwhelming career to date.
So it stands to reason that the team could use some help – or at least insurance – at the position group. And Kristopher Knox at Bleacher Report believes that help could come in the form of a not too strange face: former cornerback, Stephon Gilmore.
“Given the Cowboys’ injury concerns at cornerback, they should have interest in bringing back Gilmore. They met with him in April, and while Gilmore’s visit didn’t lead to a contract, the Cowboys didn’t dismiss the idea of eventually signing him.
“Well, we are always looking to make our roster better, which is what I would say about any player,” vice president Stephen Jones said, per Garrett Podell of CBS Sports.”
What Impact Could Gilmore Have On The Cowboys’ Secondary
Dallas had a very middle-of-the-road passing defense in 2024, allowing the 18th most passing yards per game (218.1) in the midst of what was an overall mediocre 7-10 season.
The secondary was certainly not the cause of team’s troubles, but it certainly did not help alleviate them.
And Knox believes that whilst the former Defensive Player of the Year would not revolutionize the team’s second level of the defense, he certainly could add stability to unit that seems to be potentially rocky on paper.
“Even at 34, Stephon Gilmore remains a viable NFL starter.” Knox notes, “He started 15 games for the Minnesota Vikings this past season and 17 games for the Cowboys in 2023. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler who was also Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.
Gilmore is not the ballhawk and top-tier cover corner he was early in his career. However, he’s still an above-average defender—Pro Football Focus graded him 94th out of 222 cornerbacks last season—with good ball skills (9 pass breakups in 2024) and a willingness to add run support.
Teams should view Gilmore as a starter or high-volume rotational corner, though he may only command a one-year deal.”
What Are The Roadblocks To Adding Stephon Gilmore?
The main issue for Dallas will be on the financial side of things.
The Cowboys do have the 9th most cap space in the NFL in 2025, but much of that will be put aside for next season’s rollover to help fund the contracts of Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and in all likelihood, Micah Parsons.
Gilmore received a one year, $7 million deal from the Vikings last offseason, but after a good but not great 2024, it is unlikely that teams will want to fish out to give the former All-Pro everything and more.
If Dallas can find a way to sign Gilmore without breaking the bank; a deal in the ballpark of $3 million; then it could make sense for them to make a play for a defender they already have familiarity with to help bulk up the CB room.
