That continued a career in which he\u2019s made stops with the Buffalo Bills<\/a>, New England Patriots<\/a>, Carolina Panthers<\/a>, and Indianapolis Colts<\/a> (as well as Minnesota) while usually providing solid play.<\/p>\n It\u2019s therefore something of a surprise that the 34-year-old finds himself without a team, but he\u2019s dropped a hint as to why that might be in a recent media appearance.<\/p>\n Speaking to the The Money Down podcast, Gilmore confirmed his interest in continuing his playing career, while also hinting at the kind of place he would like to play at.<\/p>\n \u201cYes\u2026[I want to play this year]. It\u2019s got to be the right situation.\u201d said Gilmore. \u201cYou know what I\u2019m saying? I\u2019m not just going to sign anywhere, so it\u2019s got to be the right situation. I still love the game. I can still contribute. It\u2019s just got to be the right place.\u201d<\/p>\n Former #Cowboys<\/a> corner Stephon Gilmore if he intends to play this season.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna play this year. It\u2019s just gotta be the right situation\u2026I\u2019m not just going to sign anywhere, it gotta be the right situation. I still love the game. I still can contribute. It just gotta be the\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/KCcb1BIovV<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Brandon Loree (@Brandoniswrite) July 3, 2025<\/a> <\/p>\n View Tweet<\/p>\n It\u2019s difficult to imagine there being any places that aren\u2019t \u2018the right place\u2019 from a team standpoint, as most teams would welcome a veteran defensive back with Gilmore\u2019s pedigree. His thirteen year pro career has welcomed in two first-team All-Pro bows, along with five Pro Bowls, as well as the Defensive Player Of The Year award in 2019. He also has experience of winning at the very top of the game, winning Super Bowl LIII with the New England Patriots<\/a>, playing a key role with a late-game interception.<\/p>\n Stephon Gilmore could start in the NFL in 2025<\/p>\n Gilmore wasn\u2019t clear on what the \u2018right situation\u2019 would entail, but it\u2019s reasonable to assume that it probably meant starting in the NFL in his fourteenth year. If that is the case, there\u2019s a few situations he could step into, and some are even contenders.<\/p>\n The first and most obvious option would be the Miami Dolphins<\/a>, who are desperately looking for experience in the defensive back room having traded away Jalen Ramsey on Monday<\/a>. Gilmore\u2019s arrival would immediately help the slightly ailing situation there, as well as provide mentorship for the younger players currently holding the fort at that position.<\/p>\n A slightly more out-there option but one that could be of some use is the Green Bay Packers,<\/a> who also lost a starter in Jaire Alexander<\/a> this offseason. While the team seems content to roll with its younger players at the spot (as it often does in such situations), adding a talented veteran like Gilmore can make all the difference in important games in December and January, a.k.a., where the Packers intend to be.<\/p>\n Whoever signs him, it would be a surprise if Gilmore isn\u2019t on an NFL roster next season.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n ![\"Super](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GettyImages-1093452010-2400x1600.jpg\")
Photo by Kevin C. Cox\/Getty ImagesStephon Gilmore looking for \u2018right situation\u2019 to return to NFL<\/p>\n