{"id":58469,"date":"2025-06-25T10:38:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=58469"},"modified":"2025-06-25T10:38:31","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T10:38:31","slug":"cowboys-fans-wont-believe-their-eyes-when-they-see-this-name-return-dallas-is-about-to-shake-up-the-nfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=58469","title":{"rendered":"Cowboys fans won’t believe their eyes when they see this name return \u2013 Dallas is about to shake up the NFL!"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Getty Jerry Jones owner Dallas Cowboys. December 15, 2025.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Dallas Cowboys\u00a0could be in need of some cornerback help come the beginning of the season, depending on how well\u00a0Trevon Diggs\u2018 recovery from an ACL tear continues this summer.<\/p>\n

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Even with Diggs playing, there are question marks on the perimeter, where former\u00a0Buffalo Bills\u00a0first round pick,\u00a0Kair Elam, is\u00a0currently listed as the starter\u00a0as he attempts to kick-start what has been an underwhelming career to date.<\/p>\n

So it stands to reason that the team could use some help \u2013 or at least insurance \u2013 at the position group. And Kristopher Knox at Bleacher Report believes that help could come in the form of a not too strange face: former cornerback,\u00a0Stephon Gilmore.<\/p>\n

\u201cGiven the Cowboys\u2019 injury concerns at cornerback, they should have interest in bringing back Gilmore. They met with him in April, and while Gilmore\u2019s visit didn\u2019t lead to a contract, the Cowboys didn\u2019t dismiss the idea of eventually signing him.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, we are always looking to make our roster better, which is what I would say about any player,\u201d vice president Stephen Jones said,\u00a0per Garrett Podell\u00a0of CBS Sports.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Impact Could Gilmore Have On The Cowboys\u2019 Secondary<\/h2>\n

Dallas had a very middle-of-the-road passing defense in 2024, allowing the 18th most passing yards per game (218.1) in the midst of what was an overall mediocre 7-10 season.<\/p>\n

The secondary was certainly not the cause of team\u2019s troubles, but it certainly did not help alleviate them. And Knox believes that whilst the former Defensive Player of the Year would not revolutionize the team\u2019s second level of the defense, he certainly could add stability to unit that seems to be potentially rocky on paper.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven at 34, Stephon Gilmore remains a viable NFL starter.\u201d\u00a0Knox notes, \u201cHe started 15 games for the\u00a0Minnesota Vikings\u00a0this past season and 17 games for the Cowboys in 2023. He\u2019s a five-time Pro Bowler who was also Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.<\/p>\n

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Gilmore is not the ballhawk and top-tier cover corner he was early in his career. However, he\u2019s still an above-average defender\u2014Pro Football Focus\u00a0graded him 94th out of 222 cornerbacks last season\u2014with good ball skills (9 pass breakups in 2024) and a willingness to add run support.<\/p>\n

Teams should view Gilmore as a starter or high-volume rotational corner, though he may only command a one-year deal.\u201d<\/p>\n

What Are The Roadblocks To Adding Stephon Gilmore?<\/h2>\n

The main issue for Dallas will be on the financial side of things. The Cowboys do have the 9th most cap space in the NFL in 2025, but much of that will be put aside for next season\u2019s rollover to help fund the contracts of\u00a0Dak Prescott,\u00a0CeeDee Lamb\u00a0and in all likelihood,\u00a0Micah Parsons.<\/p>\n

Gilmore received a one year, $7 million deal from the Vikings last offseason, but after a good but not great 2024, it is unlikely that teams will want to fish out to give the former All-Pro everything and more.<\/p>\n

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If Dallas can find a way to sign Gilmore without breaking the bank; a deal in the ballpark of $3 million; then it could make sense for them to make a play for a defender they already have familiarity with to help bulk up the CB room.<\/p>\n

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