Patriots release Stephon Gilmore outright in shocking move originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
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Stephon Gilmore won't return to the New England Patriots in Week 6, after all.
The Patriots released Gilmore on Wednesday morning, the veteran cornerback confirmed in a statement to fans on Twitter.
ESPN's Adam Schefter was the first to report New England is releasing Gilmore, who had yet to play in a game this season but was eligible to come off the Physically Unable To Perform list in Week 6.
Gilmore and the Patriots couldn't agree to terms on a restructured contract, per Schefter. The 31-year-old was making $7 million in base salary this season on the final year of a five-year contract and carried a $16.3 million cap hit.
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New England reportedly explored trading Gilmore in the offseason but now is releasing him outright in a surprising turn of events that will give the team more financial flexibility but no assets in return.
The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year and two-time First-Team All-Pro is expected to draw heavy interest on the open market, per Schefter.