Stephon Gilmore showed exactly why he was a priority for the Colts this offseason
Stephon Gilmore was one of the biggest additions for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason and he showed why on Sunday.
The Indianapolis Colts were able to get their first win of the season during Week 3 against the Kansas City Chiefs. Indy’s quality defense led them to the victory over Kansas City and a lot of Indianapolis’ new additions had huge impacts on the game. Yannick Ngakoue was providing constant pressure, Rodney McLeod had the game-sealing interception, and Stephon Gilmore may have had the most impressive game of anyone.
When Gilmore was available this offseason, the Colts went all out to land the five-time Pro Bowl cornerback. Indy pulled out the private jet and flew Gilmore to Indianapolis to sign him to a two-year deal. On Sunday, it was evident why Gilmore was such a priority for the Colts this offseason.
He didn’t have a vintage Gilmore shutdown performance, but he was a weapon for Indianapolis defensively and he made stopping the Chiefs’ explosive offense much easier for Gus Bradley and the Indy defense. Gilmore was able to move around and challenge tight end Travis Kelce as often as possible and that made things a completely different game.
.@Colts had a plan on 3rd down for @Chiefs @tkelce Not perfect but at the end of the game they weren’t going to let Kelce beat them….and in the process held the Chiefs to a pedestrian 17 points @KennyKennyMoe3 @BumpNrunGilm0re and Co. #NaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/wHraFrmXpV
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) September 27, 2022
Stephon Gilmore is a special weapon for the Colts
It was evident that the plan for Indy was to have Gilmore matched up against Kelce and Stephon stepped up to the challenge. He had the huge play early when Gilmore was able to stop Kelce before the sticks and when Kansas City was able to free Kelce from Gilmore and line him up against a linebacker, the difference was evident.
Last season, Indianapolis really struggled against tight ends. Indy was often bad against the pass late in games but tight ends were really a problem area. With Gilmore, the Colts can be better against the pass as a whole and he can help neutralize elite tight ends.
To put a bow on his impressive performance, Stephon Gilmore made the deflection that led to the game-sealing interception by McLeod. Games and plays like that are why the Colts are lucky they landed Stephon Gilmore this offseason.
