Cornerback Stephon Gilmore, one of the greatest defensive backs in New England Patriots history and a 13-year NFL veteran, announced his retirement. The Super Bowl champion and 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year last played for the Minnesota Vikings two seasons ago and will not seek a comeback in 2026 after spending last year away from the game.
Gilmore shared the following message in his announcement on social media.
“As a young, scrappy kid from Rock Hill South Carolina with humble beginnings, the eldest of 6 – you gave me focus, opportunity, strength, and friends to last a lifetime.
From my first game with Finley Road Falcons to two Super Bowls, multiple Pro Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year Award, you taught me the invaluable lesson of working hard and believing in myself.
To my wife and kids, thank you for making it possible for me to chase my dreams.
To my parents, thank you for raising me to be the man I am today.
To my coaches, thank you for pouring into me.
And to the fans—thank you for your support. I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds.”
While he played for six different teams and posted the longest tenure of his career across five years with the Buffalo Bills, Gilmore is most widely known for his four years in New England. He was a prized addition to the roster in 2017 and exceeded lofty expectations with three Pro Bowl campaigns and two first-team All-Pro nods. In 2019, he led the NFL in interceptions (6) and passes defended (20) en route to the AP Defensive Player of the Year award.
Gilmore was also integral in the Patriots’ run to the 2019 Super Bowl. He hauled in two interceptions and forced a fumble on his way to the first and only championship of his outstanding career. One of those picks came in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl triumph over the Los Angeles Rams and set the Patriots up to take a decisive two-score lead.
A season-ending quad injury in 2020 brought Gilmore’s Patriots career to an end, and following a trade to the Carolina Panthers the next year, he rounded out his time in the NFL with four different teams in four years. He last played on a one-year deal with the Vikings in 2024 and did not sign in free agency last offseason.
Gilmore was a formidable pass defender from Year 1 through Year 13. The 2012 first-round draft pick out of South Carolina started all 16 games for the Bills as a rookie, made 15 starts for the Vikings in his final season, and recorded at least one interception in each of his professional campaigns.