Colts are lucky to have Stephon Gilmore as one of the best bargain players in the league
The Indianapolis Colts were able to sign Pro Bowl corner Stephon Gilmore to one of the most team-friendly deals for a player of his caliber.
One of the final pieces of a busy offseason for the Indianapolis Colts was signing Stephon Gilmore. The five-time Pro Bowl corner got Indy to pull out the private jet before he ultimately signed a two-year deal with the team. He’s an immediate boost at corner and will help the loaded defense be an elite unit.
Gilmore will turn 32 years old at the start of the season but he is still playing at a quality level. He may not be the shutdown corner that won Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, but he is coming off a Pro Bowl season and is more than capable of being a team’s top corner.
To make things better, the Colts signed Gilmore to an incredibly team-friendly deal. Gilmore is on a two-year contract worth up to $23 million, with $14 million guaranteed. According to Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports, that makes Gilmore one of the best bargain players in the NFL.
Lowest passer rating allowed in coverage when playing press coverage last season
— PFF IND Colts (@PFF_Colts) June 21, 2022
🔒 Rasul Douglas: 12.3
🔒 Patrick Peterson: 22.9
🔒 Stephon Gilmore: 35.6 pic.twitter.com/1Fr3tV23yJ
Colts have Stephon Gilmore on a bargain deal
Benjamin highlights that “Shaquill Griffin, William Jackson III, Ronald Darby and Adoree’ Jackson will all make more” than Stephon Gilmore in 2022. While those corners are younger, Gilmore is still a preferred option, even at this stage of his career.
This is just the latest example of the way Chris Ballard and the Colts have been able to do business. They find ways to acquire quality players, pay them, and remain in good financial standing. It’s the way Indy has been able to extend guys like Darius Leonard and will soon extend Quenton Nelson.
The Colts will also have to worry about future contracts like Kenny Moore, Michael Pittman Jr., and Jonathan Taylor. Luckily, several talented players are already contracted for the next few years and Indy has guys like Gilmore on a bargain.
