Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Stephon Gilmore

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Stephon Gilmore made an impact.

Stephon Gilmore is a professional American football cornerback with 13 seasons in the NFL. He played college football at the University of South Carolina, earning All-American and All-SEC honors. Drafted 10th overall by the Buffalo Bills in 2012, he spent his first five seasons there, making the Pro Bowl in 2016.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: Dunta Robinson Draft

In 2004, Dunta Robinson was the highest selected Gamecocks' cornerback since selected before Stephon Gilmore in 2012.

2009: Freshman Starter at South Carolina

In 2009, Stephon Gilmore appeared in all 12 games for the Gamecocks, becoming a rare true freshman to start at cornerback in the Southeastern Conference.

2010: Chick-fil-A Bowl Pass

During the 2010 Chick-fil-A Bowl, Stephon Gilmore completed a 29-yard pass to Alshon Jeffery in the 4th quarter.

2010: All-American and All-SEC Honors

In 2010, Stephon Gilmore received third-team All-American and first-team All-SEC honors while playing college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks.

March 28, 2012: South Carolina Pro Day

On March 28, 2012, Stephon Gilmore attended South Carolina's pro day, along with other prospects, and performed positional drills for scouts and team representatives from all 32 NFL teams.

May 17, 2012: Signed with Buffalo Bills

On May 17, 2012, Stephon Gilmore signed a four-year, $12.08 million rookie contract with the Buffalo Bills, fully guaranteed with a signing bonus of $7.22 million and a fifth-year option.

September 10, 2012: NFL Regular Season Debut

On September 10, 2012, Stephon Gilmore made his professional regular season debut and earned his first career start in the Buffalo Bills' season-opener against the New York Jets.

December 9, 2012: First Career Interception Overturned

On December 9, 2012, Stephon Gilmore had his first career interception on a pass by Sam Bradford, which was overturned due to a holding penalty.

2012: Bills Draft

In 2012, Gilmore started his NFL career after being drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

2012: Drafted by Buffalo Bills

In 2012, Stephon Gilmore was selected 10th overall in the NFL draft by the Buffalo Bills.

December 31, 2012: Bills Fire Head Coach Chan Gailey

On December 31, 2012, the Buffalo Bills fired head coach Chan Gailey after finishing the 2012 NFL season with a 6–10 record.

January 6, 2013: Bills Hire Doug Marrone

On January 6, 2013, the Buffalo Bills hired Doug Marrone as their new head coach.

December 18, 2013: First Interception of the Season

On December 18, 2013, Stephon Gilmore made two solo tackles, had two pass deflections, and recorded his first interception of the season on a pass by Mike Glennon to Vincent Jackson during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

January 25, 2014: Jim Schwartz Hired as Defensive Coordinator

On January 25, 2014, the Buffalo Bills hired Jim Schwartz to be their defensive coordinator.

September 21, 2014: Season-High Solo Tackles

On September 21, 2014, Stephon Gilmore set a season-high of six solo tackles during a loss against the San Diego Chargers.

December 31, 2014: Doug Marrone Resigns

On December 31, 2014, Doug Marrone announced his resignation as head coach of the Buffalo Bills.

January 12, 2015: Rex Ryan Hired as Head Coach

On January 12, 2015, the Buffalo Bills hired Rex Ryan to be their head coach.

August 28, 2015: Fifth-Year Option Exercised

On August 28, 2015, the Buffalo Bills exercised the fifth-year option on Stephon Gilmore's rookie contract.

September 13, 2015: Season-High Solo Tackles and Pass Deflections

On September 13, 2015, Stephon Gilmore recorded a season-high six solo tackles and set a season-high with four pass deflections against the Indianapolis Colts.

October 11, 2015: Game-Sealing Interception

On October 11, 2015, Stephon Gilmore sealed a victory against the Tennessee Titans with a fourth-quarter interception.

September 25, 2016: Two Interception Game

On September 25, 2016, Stephon Gilmore had his first two interception game of his career, picking off two passes by Carson Palmer against the Arizona Cardinals.

December 27, 2016: Rex Ryan Fired

On December 27, 2016, the Buffalo Bills fired head coach Rex Ryan.

2016: Pro Bowl Selection

In 2016, Stephon Gilmore earned Pro Bowl honors during his time with the Buffalo Bills.

January 11, 2017: Bills Hire Sean McDermott

On January 11, 2017, the Buffalo Bills hired Sean McDermott as the head coach.

January 23, 2017: Pro Bowl Selection

On January 23, 2017, it was announced that Stephon Gilmore was voted to the 2017 Pro Bowl and also received the Ed Block Courage Award.

March 9, 2017: Gilmore Signs with the New England Patriots

On March 9, 2017, Stephon Gilmore signed a five-year, $65 million contract with the New England Patriots, which included $40 million guaranteed and an initial signing bonus of $18 million.

2017: Patriots Clinch Playoff Berth

During the 2017 NFL season, the New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East with a 13-3 record, clinching a playoff berth and a first-round bye.

January 13, 2018: Gilmore Starts First Playoff Game

On January 13, 2018, Stephon Gilmore started in his first career playoff game, making one tackle and two pass deflections in a victory against the Tennessee Titans.

2018: Patriots Clinch Playoff Berth and First-Round Bye

During the 2018 NFL season, the New England Patriots finished first in their division with an 11-5 record, clinching a playoff berth and a first-round bye.

September 15, 2019: Gilmore Scores First Career Touchdown

On September 15, 2019, Stephon Gilmore made two tackles, three pass deflections, and scored his first career touchdown on a pick-six against the Miami Dolphins.

2019: Defensive Player of the Year

In 2019, Stephon Gilmore was named Defensive Player of the Year after co-leading the league in interceptions while playing for the New England Patriots.

October 6, 2021: Gilmore Traded to Carolina Panthers

On October 6, 2021, Stephon Gilmore was traded from the New England Patriots to the Carolina Panthers for a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft.

April 18, 2022: Gilmore Signs with Indianapolis Colts

On April 18, 2022, Stephon Gilmore signed a two-year, $20.00 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts.

March 14, 2023: Traded to the Dallas Cowboys

On March 14, 2023, the Indianapolis Colts traded Stephon Gilmore to the Dallas Cowboys for a compensatory fifth-round selection in the 2023 NFL draft after injuries and departures impacted the Cowboys' cornerback lineup.

September 10, 2023: Starts season-opener with the Cowboys

On September 10, 2023, Stephon Gilmore started in the Dallas Cowboys' season-opener against the New York Giants, recording four solo tackles, three pass deflections, and his first interception as a Cowboy.

December 10, 2023: New season high in solo tackles

On December 10, 2023, Stephon Gilmore set a new season-high with nine solo tackles in the Cowboys' 33–13 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

2023: Panthers Acquire Kayshon Boutte

In 2023, the Carolina Panthers used the sixth-round draft pick they obtained from the New England Patriots in the Stephon Gilmore trade to select Kayshon Boutte.

August 18, 2024: Signed by the Minnesota Vikings

On August 18, 2024, Stephon Gilmore signed a one-year, $7.00 million contract with the Minnesota Vikings, reuniting with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.

October 6, 2024: Secures victory against the New York Jets

On October 6, 2024, Stephon Gilmore recorded six combined tackles, two pass deflections, and secured a 17–23 victory against the New York Jets with an interception.