The veteran full-back, who has yet to play this season due to injury, looks set to be released by the Patriots before the Panthers stepped in to close a deal before the 4pm ET deadline.
The Carolina Panthers have acquired former Defender of the Year Stephon Gilmore of the New England Patriots for a sixth-round pick in 2023.
Gilmore, 31, is a South Carolina native and former Mr. Football in the state. In the offseason, he still lives in the Rock Hill area, right across the state border from Charlotte, North Carolina, where the Panthers play.
He was placed on the list of physically incapacitated for work before the start of the season, as he required surgery to repair a partially torn quadruple muscle.
But Gilmore was also in a contract dispute with the Patriots, and their decision to eventually trade him would give the team much-needed room for a pay ceiling.
“We have achieved such great success together and you have been an incredible source of inspiration for my personal accomplishments,” Gilmore wrote to fans before continuing his thanks to the Patriots.
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October 8, 2021 12:30 PM
To live on 
“To Mr. (owner Robert) Kraft, coaches and organizations, thank you for providing me with this platform and allowing me to be a part of greatness. Most of all I want to thank my teammates who lined up next to me every Sunday. With one goal in mind.
“These moments on and off the pitch will never be forgotten.”
Caroline also switched to former Top 10 player C Jay Henderson at the end of September due to an injury sustained at the end of the season by rookie cornerman Jaycee Horn.
They also do not have Juston Barris, who is in reserve due to a groin injury.
