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CHARLOTTE – Stephon Gilmore is coming home.
The Panthers traded for the veteran cornerback on Wednesday, sending a sixth round in 2023 to New England.
The Rock Hill native, 31, adds stability and credibility to his high school, which has been hit hard by injury this season.
Gilmore was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press in 2019 and made the All-Pro First Team Selection in 2018 and 2019.
Originally a first-round pick for the Bills in 2012, Gilmore signed a five-year, $ 65 million contract with the Patriots in 2017.
He suffered an ATV injury at the end of last season and was placed on the physically unable to play list to start this season. He would have been eligible to return after Week 6, but the Patriots were expected to release him after they couldn’t agree to a restructured contract.
Former Mr. Football in South Carolina, Gilmore led South Pointe High to the 2008 State title in his senior year. Playing alongside 2014 No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, Gilmore took the Stallions to a 15-0 record before traveling to the University of South Carolina.
He still lives in the area during the offseason so it will be easy to settle down for him.
The Panthers have Donte Jackson and nickel veteran AJ Bouye, but had a mixed bag last week after first-round pick Jaycee Horn was lost to a broken foot. They are also deprived of security veteran Juston Burris, who is in IR with a groin injury.
They traded for former top 10 pick CJ Henderson, but they still facilitate the role of the 23-year-old cornerback, and they also have veteran Rashaan Melvin, as well as young corners Keith Taylor Jr. and Stantley Thomas- Oliver III.
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