Back to the NFL Newsfeed

Why the Patriots are trading All-Pro Stephon Gilmore to the Carolina Panthers

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- The New England Patriots' plans to trade cornerback Stephon Gilmore came as a surprise Wednesday.

Gilmore, who started the season on the physically unable to perform list after having surgery on a torn quad suffered in Week 15 of the 2020 season, was sent to the Carolina Panthers for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. He was the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a first-team All-Pro twice and a Pro Bowl selection four times.

Here is a breakdown of some of the key points:

Why are the Patriots trading Gilmore?