The Patriots reportedly talked trade with Stephon Gilmore this offseason

Stephon Gilmore was being shopped by the New England Patriots this offseason.

Stephon Gilmore on the trade block? Reportedly, it was so.

Despite his transformative effect on the defense, New England head coach Bill Belichick apparently entertained the idea of flipping Gilmore and his hefty contract for players and picks.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer is reporting the Patriots almost kicked off a full-on rebuild by trading away their star cornerback. However, the large amount of opt-outs on New England’s defense eventually allowed Belichick to hold onto Gilmore.

Stephon Gilmore established himself as the best cornerback in the league last season

Gilmore, who earned a $5 million raise this season, was always a solid cornerback with the Buffalo Bills, but he reached truly elite status when he moved to New England in 2017. Gilmore has been a First-Team All-Pro in the last two seasons, leading the league with six interceptions en route to the Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019.

With Gilmore now officially rooted in New England for the foreseeable future, Belichick and new defensive playcaller Jerod Mayo will once again be in possession of one of the league’s best secondaries given the presence of JC Jackson and both McCourty twins on the back end.

Even though Brady is in Tampa Bay and Cam Newton has slid in to replace him, the Patriots should compete for a division title once again, as that defense is too deep and too skilled to let New England falter. Gilmore is the main reason that New England’s defense is still one of the league’s best.