Indianapolis, IN
Former Colts CB Stephon Gilmore Requested a Trade from Indianapolis
Based on his teammate DeForest Buckner, former Indianapolis Colts cornerback Stephon Gilmore requested a commerce earlier this offseason—earlier than he was in the end traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a 2023 compensatory fifth spherical choose (by way of ESPN’s Stephen Holder):
DeForest Buckner simply made it clear cornerback Stephon Gilmore requested the commerce from Indy.
“That is what he needed to do for him and his household,” Buckner stated.
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) April 12, 2023
It supplies additional readability as to why the Colts traded the veteran cornerback, who was nonetheless very a lot enjoying at a excessive degree and was a pacesetter of their locker room this previous season.
Turning 33 years outdated in September, it’s exhausting to begrudge Gilmore for making such a commerce request, as he presumably joined the Colts final yr believing he was going to affix at the very least an AFC playoff group. Nonetheless, the Colts didn’t make the playoffs and want loads of assist roster-wise.
With all indicators pointing in the direction of the Colts choosing a rookie quarterback with the 4th general choose on this yr’s NFL Draft, the franchise is at the very least going through a short-term rebuild.
It doesn’t actually make sense for Gilmore to spend the previous few years of his enjoying profession on a non-contender—even when a veteran may’ve been helpful as a mentor for a younger Colts protection.
The Colts did what was finest for the veteran cornerback’s late profession, because the Cowboys are a projected NFC contender in 2023. In the meantime, Indy in all probability ought to look to get youthful on the place regardless, given the present state of the franchise.