New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, didn’t answer to compulsory minicamp that started Monday, a source affirmed.
Gilmore could be saying something about his agreement, as he is scheduled to acquire a base salary of $7 million in 2021.
The Patriots had progressed $4.5 million of Gilmore’s 2021 salary to him last year, prompting the current year’s low figure.
Gilmore, who turns 31 in September, is in the last year of the five-year, $65 million pact he signed with the Patriots as an unlimited free agent in 2017. The deal included $40 million in injury ensures and $31 million completely ensured at signing.
At that point, an agreement with those guarantees and an average of $13 million for each season was seen as a strong deal. The cornerback market has since detonated, with Jalen Ramsey of the Los Angeles Rams topping it with an agreement averaging $20 million for every season.
Recognizing they didn’t have points of interest of the circumstance, partners noticed Gilmore’s absence in the locker room Monday, as well as on the practice field.
“I support my brother. I wish he was here, but I support him all the same,” veteran safety Adrian Phillips said. “What he has going, whenever he gets back here, he’ll let you know how it went.”
Longtime captain Matthew Slater added: “That’s a situation I don’t want to get too far into, because it’s frankly none of my business. Obviously you support all your teammates, whether they are here or not.”
Coach Bill Belichick deflected questions on Gilmore before Monday and wouldn’t uncover whether he has given him (or any player) an excused absence. Players who don’t report for mandatory minicamp can be fined up to $93,085 – what separates to $15,515 for the first missed day, $31,030 for the second missed day and $46,540 for the third missed day.
Gilmore incompletely tore his quad in a Week 15 loss last season, arriving on injured reserve.
The Boston Globe initially announced Gilmore’s nonappearance.
