Former Vikings Defender Calls It a Career
In 2024, the Minnesota Vikings lost two cornerbacks ahead of the season; Khyree Jackson tragically passed away and Mekhi Blackmon needed to step away due to injury. Stephon Gilmore was available in free agency, so the franchise signed the potential future Hall of Famer to help Brian Flores’s defense.
About 20 months later, the former Defensive Player of the Year announced his retirement on social media.
In an Instagram post, he wrote on Thursday, “To my first love, Football — As a young, scrappy kid from Rock Hill South Carolina with humble beginnings, the eldest of 6 – you gave me focus, opportunity, strength, and friends to last a lifetime. From my first game with Finley Road Falcons to two Super Bowls, multiple Pro Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year Award, you taught me the invaluable lesson of working hard and believing in myself.”
Gilmore is 35 and hasn’t played in the NFL since departing from the Twin Cities last offseason. After skipping the 2025 campaign, he has decided to call it a career.
He continued, “To my wife and kids, thank you for making it possible for me to chase my dreams. To my parents, thank you for raising me to be the man I am today. To my coaches, thank you for pouring into me. And to the fans—thank you for your support. I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds. GillyLock Out.🔒 ✌🏾”
GillyLock has been his nickname, and he certainly had a knack for locking down receivers, especially in his prime years in New England, when he earned All-Pro recognition in 2018 and 2019. He also received the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019, a rare feat for a cornerback.
His career started as a first-round pick of the Buffalo Bills in 2012, the same draft as Harrison Smith. After five seasons in Buffalo, he joined the Patriots, where he played four seasons and won a Super Bowl over the Los Angeles Rams with a great Brian Flores-led defense.
In 2021, he was traded to Carolina. Gilmore headed to Indianapolis in 2022, Dallas in 2023, and eventually, Minnesota in 2024.
In his lone Vikings season, Gilmore turned 34, which is certainly on the older side for corners. He still provided solid play throughout the year alongside Byron Murphy, appearing in 15 contests. Gilmore missed a couple of games with a hamstring injury.
PFF gave Gilmore a grade of 62.2, which is pretty much an average number. He allowed five touchdowns and had that one interception. That grade is a good summary. He wasn’t a liability, but he was no longer the playmaker he was a few years ago.
But he made one significant play. His highlight in a purple uniform came in London when he clinched the game against the New York Jets by intercepting an Aaron Rodgers pass late in the fourth quarter, preventing the former rival from adding to his long list of comeback wins.
In his career, Gilmore played in 180 games (173 starts), snagging 32 interceptions, 617 tackles, and 8 forced fumbles. He’s a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro and one-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Editor’s Note: Information from PFF, Over The Cap, and Sports Reference helped with this article.