Stephon Gilmore is traded to the Carolina Panthers

UPDATE: Stephon Gilmore has been traded to the Carolina Panthers. It was interesting while it lasted.

The Patriots traded Gilmore to the Panthers in return for a 2023 6th round pick. The Panthers will assume his remaining contract liabilities and have the opportunity to negotiate an extension prior to the beginning of free agency this year. For more on the trade, visit SB Nation’s Panthers’ community, Cat Scratch Reader.

PREVIOUSLY:

Well, how about this for timing?

Two days after the Las Vegas’ Raiders cornerback position was struck by the injury bug, a premier player at the position is likely to hit the market later very soon. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that the New England Patriots will release injured star cornerback Stephon Gilmore later on Wednesday. Of course, he could be traded by the 1 p.m. PT deadline.

This surprise early-morning news has to be of interest within the walls of the Raiders’ Henderson, Nevada facility. The team is beat up at cornerback. Starter Trayvon Mullen left the field on a cart during Monday night’s loss at the Los Angeles Chargers with a foot injury. Backup Damon Arnette left with a groin injury, and rookie slot cornerback Nate Hobbs left with a concussion. Coach Jon Gruden said there that is a chance that some of the injuries could be serious.

Gruden loves star players, so certainly this situation will intrigue the Raiders. Of course, securing him won’t be easy. It may require a trade, but if Gilmore does get to the open market, he won’t come cheap and there will be a lot of interest as illustrated by these below tweets:

In the end, will the Raiders be players in the Gilmore sweepstakes? It wouldn’t shock me.