If there is one remaining position of concern for the Philadelphia Eagles, it is their cornerback room. Adoree' Jackson and Kelee Ringo have both shown flashes of capability, but have made key mistakes, leaving room to wonder if the franchise might explore potential free-agent CB options in the next weeks of the season. With this in mind, one potential fit is veteran free agent Stephon Gilmore.
Gilmore is among the more surprising names to remain in free agency alongside former Los Angeles Chargers corner Asante Samuel Jr. The latter remains in free agency based on offseason surgery, with the defender aiming to make a midseason return. This makes the potential addition of Gilmore make the most sense. Even if the former Super Bowl champ isn't a huge upgrade over Jackson and Ringo, Gilmore can bring in veteran leadership to a very young defense that could use a boost.
Eagles Must Consider Signing Free Agent CB Stephon Gilmore
Part of the cap-saving moves the Eagles made in the 2025 offseason was moving on from both Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson. Considering the early fates of both players, this isn't a bad decision; however, it does leave an experience and leadership void in a very young secondary. The Eagles want to win a second consecutive Super Bowl, and adding Gilmore — who's been to the top and is a former Defensive Player of the Year — can help with that goal.
Gilmore fits this perfectly, having been a part of Tom Brady's New England Patriots and spending time in several defensive systems in the years since. The five-time Pro Bowler also has 32 interceptions and 149 pass break-ups in 180 career regular-season games, and that experience could put Philadelphia's secondary — which already owns the eighth-best Pro Football Focus coverage grade (66.9) — over the top.
Signing Gilmore is a gamble with some win-win upside, giving the Eagles a chance to sign a proven winner while allowing the vet CB to prove his career isn't over. As great as the unit has been in the early going, it is clear that they could use more depth in the secondary, making Gilmore someone whom general manager Howie Roseman should call.
With how well Roseman knows the team, a secondary shake-up could be coming before the Nov. 4 trade deadline. Jackson appears to be a sunk cost, while Ringo isn't taking full advantage of the starting role he was given a week ago. That gives the Eagles plenty of reason to bring in Gilmore to see how much the ex-DPOY has left in the tank.