Report: Cowboys beat out 1 other team to land Stephon Gilmore

Aug 17, 2019; Nashville, TN, USA; New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) before the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Dallas Cowboys bolstered their secondary during the offseason by adding Stephon Gilmore in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. However, the Cowboys apparently faced some stiff competition when trying to trade for the veteran cornerback.

The Cowboys had to fend off interest from the New England Patriots to acquire Gilmore, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Dallas ultimately got a deal done by shipping a fifth-round compensatory pick to the Colts.

Gilmore essentially cemented himself as a shutdown corner during his four-year stint with the Patriots from 2017 to 2020. His time with the organization ended when the two sides failed to agree to a restructured contract, which led to Gilmore being traded to the Carolina Panthers. Despite that turn of events, the Patriots were apparently eager to bring him back after he spent two seasons elsewhere, but Dallas got to him first.

Gilmore turns 33 in September and is carrying a $9.9 million cap hit this season, which is why the Cowboys were able to acquire him for relatively little. He had 66 tackles and two interceptions last season with the Colts.