EAGAN, Minn. – The Vikings have added an experienced vet to their cornerbacks room.
Minnesota has signed Stephon Gilmore, the team announced Monday.
Gilmore, who will turn 34 on Sept. 19, started all 17 regular-season games and a postseason contest for the Cowboys last season. He recorded 68 tackles, two interceptions, a forced fumble and 13 passes defensed.
Gilmore was originally the 10th overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Bills, with whom he spent his first five pro seasons. He then played for the Patriots (2017-21), Panthers (2021) and Colts (2022) before joining the Cowboys for 2023.
View photos of Vikings CB Stephon Gilmore who signed with the team on Aug. 18.
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) gestures on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec 24, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin during the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) is seen during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 45-10. (AP Photo/Brandon Wade)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) defends from the secondary during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, in Dallas, Texas (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) reacts after making a tackle on Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) on a fourth-down play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) lines up for the snap during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) defends during an NFL Football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) breaks up a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) defends against Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stefon Diggs (14) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) against the Buffalo Bills in an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 17, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. Bills defeated the Cowboys 31-10.(AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) looks to defend during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Stephon Gilmore (21) runs during an NFL football game against the Washington Commanders, Sunday, January 7, 2024 in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
Dallas Cowboys defensive back Stephon Gilmore (21) during an NFL wild-card playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
In 12 seasons, Gilmore has played 165 regular-season games and made 158 starts. He's received five Pro Bowl nods (2016; 2018-21) and was named a First-Team All-Pro by The Associated Press in 2018 and 2019, as well as the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
Here are five things to know about the Vikings newest corner:
1. Familiarity with Flores & Pettine
Gilmore is well known around the NFL, but he's personally known by two of Minnesota's coaches, Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores and Assistant Head Coach/Outside Linebackers Mike Pettine.
Pettine and Gilmore overlapped in 2013 in Buffalo, where Pettine was hired that season as the Bills defensive coordinator. Then in 2017 and 2018, Gilmore was in New England while Flores served as the Patriots linebackers coach. Though he wasn't specifically Gilmore's position coach, Flores is plenty familiar with his skill set and how he can add to Minnesota's defensive system.
2. Defensive Player of the Year
As noted above, Gilmore was named the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year by The Associated Press.
He certainly made his case for the honor with an impressive six interceptions, which tied for the league lead that season, including two he returned for touchdowns.
View photos of the Vikings 53-man roster as of September 11, 2024.
3 WR Jordan Addison
3 WR Jordan Addison
6 LB Brian Asamoah II
6 LB Brian Asamoah II
56 C Garrett Bradbury
56 C Garrett Bradbury
64 G Blake Brandel
64 G Blake Brandel
90 DL Jonathan Bullard
90 DL Jonathan Bullard
24 S Camryn Bynum
24 S Camryn Bynum
51 LB Blake Cashman
51 LB Blake Cashman
32 RB Ty Chandler
32 RB Ty Chandler
14 QB Sam Darnold
QB Sam Darnold
71 T Christian Darrisaw
71 T Christian Darrisaw
42 LS Andrew DePaola
42 LS Andrew DePaola
21 CB Akayleb Evans
21 CB Akayleb Evans
69 C/G Dan Feeney
69 C/G Dan Feeney
2 CB Stephon Gilmore
2 CB Stephon Gilmore
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
58 OLB Jonathan Greenard
1 CB Shaq Griffin
1 CB Shaq Griffin
54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
54 LB Kamu Grugier-Hill
30 FB C.J. Ham
30 FB C.J. Ham
67 G Ed Ingram
67 G Ed Ingram
26 S Theo Jackson
26 S Theo Jackson
8 WR Trishton Jackson
WR Trishton Jackson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
18 WR Justin Jefferson
33 RB Aaron Jones
33 RB Aaron Jones
91 OLB Pat Jones II
91 OLB Pat Jones II
65 OL Michael Jurgens
65 OL Michael Jurgens
29 CB Dwight McGlothern
29 CB Dwight McGlothern
44 S Josh Metellus
44 S Josh Metellus
23 CB Fabian Moreau
23 CB Fabian Moreau
12 QB Nick Mullens
12 QB Nick Mullens
86 TE Johnny Mundt
86 TE Johnny Mundt
7 CB Byron Murphy
7 CB Byron Murphy Jr.
34 TE Nick Muse
34 TE Nick Muse
83 WR Jalen Nailor
83 WR Jalen Nailor
75 T Brian O'Neill
75 T Brian O'Neill
84 TE Josh Oliver
84 TE Josh Oliver
0 LB Ivan Pace Jr.
0 Ivan Pace Jr.
57 DL Harrison Phillips
97 DL Harrison Phillips
4 WR Brandon Powell
4 WR Brandon Powell
76 T David Quessenberry
76 T David Quessenberry
61 DL Jalen Redmond
61 DL Jalen Redmond
16 K Will Reichard
16 K Will Reichard
50 DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
DL Levi Drake Rodriguez
78 T Walter Rouse
78 T Walter Rouse
QB Brett Rypien
QB Brett Rypien
11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
11 WR Trent Sherfield Sr.
22 S Harrison Smith
22 S Harrison Smith
94 DL Taki Taimani
94 DL Taki Taimani
99 DL Jerry Tillery
99 DL Jerry Tillery
15 OLB Dallas Turner
15 OLB Dallas Turner
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
43 OLB Andrew Van Ginkel
20 S Jay Ward
20 S Jay Ward
52 OLB Jihad Ward
52 OLB Jihad Ward
17 P Ryan Wright
17 P Ryan Wright
Gilmore also racked up 53 tackles and a season-high 20 passes defensed, plus a fumble recovery.
He was the first defensive back to win the award since safety Troy Polamalu in 2010, and no DB has garnered the award since.
3. AFC Championship star
In his first season with New England, Gilmore helped the 2017 Patriots reach the AFC Championship Game against Jacksonville. It was there he made one of the biggest plays of his career.
With under 2 minutes remaining, the Jaguars had an opportunity to drive down the field and set themselves up for a touchdown to take a 27-24 lead.
Jacksonville QB Blake Bortles was sacked on second down, creating a third-and-19. A handoff to James O'Shaughnessy gained just 4 yards, and the Jaguars faced fourth-and-15 with one final shot. Bortles launched a deep pass to Dede Westbrook, and Gilmore made an incredible pass breakup to seal the Patriots trip to Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis. They would go on to be defeated by the Eagles.
4. Super Bowl champion
Gilmore played in back-to-back Super Bowls with the Patriots and earned a ring on the second go-round.
The 2018 season, after which he earned his first All-Pro designation, culminated with Super Bowl LIII against the Rams. Gilmore snagged a fourth-quarter interception of Jared Goff near the goal line, prohibiting a game-tying touchdown and helping the Patriots to a 13-3 victory.
5. Focused on family
Gilmore is the oldest of six siblings and grew up often helping watch his sisters and brother while his parents, Linda and Steve, were working.
When Gilmore got his first tattoo as an elder teenager (with his father's permission), he had a family tree inked across his left arm and shoulder. Linda and Steve are featured, along with the tree's branches that are labeled with the siblings' names: Stephon, Sabrina, Sierra, Scarlet and Steven.
"My mom and dad raised me the right way, and that's why I'm the person I am now," Gilmore said of his family upon being drafted in 2012. "I'm a respectful person and treat people right. My sisters and brothers always had my back. They helped me make decisions through it all."
Now a father himself, Stephon and his wife Gabrielle focus on raising their own three children – Sebastian, Gisele and Gael – the right way.
