That super-rich contract back in 2017 looks better and better every day.
Normally not prone to dealing out mega contracts in free agency, Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots bucked the norm and broke the bank back in March that year to sign Stephon Gilmore. The ex-Bills cornerback inked a five-year deal for $65 million, with $31 million guaranteed and an $18 million signing bonus.
The deal essentially spelled the end of Malcolm Butler’s time in New England, and for the first half of the 2017 season, it looked like a mistake, frankly. Gilmore allowed too many passing completions and drew too many pass interference calls, as the entire Patriots defense struggled to find itself in the early going.