Stephon Gilmore’s Contract Includes Some Sweet Details
The Minnesota Vikings have acquired Stephon Gilmore, a former Defensive Player of the Year and annual Pro Bowler. At age 33 (34 next month), he is no longer that elite defender, but he is still an above-average cornerback, which will be a massive boost for Brian Flores’ unit in his second year coordinating that side of the field.
Stephon Gilmore’s Contract Includes Some Sweet Details
Gilmore’s deal was originally reported as a one-year contract worth up to $10 million. The baseline is $7 million.
A few days later, some more details emerged. Ben Goessling from The Star Tribune reported how Gilmore could actually unlock the extra $3 million.
By playing 70% of the defensive snaps, he would get $250,000, with another $250,000 waiting for him if he can clear 80%. He would get a total of $1 million by playing at least 90%. Those numbers double if the Vikings reach the postseason.
The bonuses need to be unlocked first by generating three interceptions. The nomination for the first-team All-Pro would notch him $1 million. Making second-team All-Pro would earn him $500,000.
Last season, Gilmore played 94% of the snaps. He has cleared the 90% hurdle every year when healthy, including in the last couple of seasons. However, he has not finished a season with three or more interceptions since 2019. Since he couldn’t complete that milestone last year, the incentives are classified as unlikely to be earned, meaning they will not count against the salary cap in 2024.
Should he reach the requisite numbers, he will be paid the salary, and that money will count against next year’s salary cap. Because the salary cap is expected to rise, and the remaining salary cap room will convert to next season, it is smart to place the cap hit into the future as it functions like a loan with negative interest rates. That’s why teams are doing void years.
Gilmore will immediately be a starter for the Vikings, and the team hasn’t tried to hide that fact. He is already listed as a first-team cornerback with Byron Murphy on the depth chart on the official team website. The Vikings employ ten cornerbacks after waiving Jacobi Francis, who joined the organization in July, and NaJee Thompson, the special teams ace. Thompson has cleared waivers and reverted to the Vikings’ IR.
- Byron Murphy Jr.
- Stephon Gilmore
- Shaq Griffin
- Akayleb Evans
- Fabian Moreau
- Duke Shelley
- Dwight McGlothern
- Jaylin Williams
- A.J. Green
- Nahshon Wright
It will be fascinating to see the Vikings build the 53-man roster, especially at the cornerback position.
Gilmore, Murphy, and Griffin will build the top trio, with Murphy sliding inside in nickel defenses. Evans’ play was promising at times during his sophomore season, but inconsistencies clouded his actual impact. Veteran Moreau is a reliable depth option. Fan favorite Shelley might be in trouble, while undrafted rookie McGlothern has emerged as an intriguing option.
At this point, Gilmore’s contract should be considered a $7 million deal. He will be in line for another payday if he can stay healthy and collect the three interceptions.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference helped with this article.
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Janik Eckardt is a football fan who likes numbers and stats. The Vikings became his favorite team despite their quarterback at the time, Christian Ponder. He is a walking soccer encyclopedia, loves watching sitcoms, and prefers Classic rock over other genres. Follow him on Twitter if you like the Vikings: @JanikEckardt