Stephon Gilmore traded to Panthers for 6th round draft pick

Well, it was a fun five hours of speculation. Almost immediately after news broke about the New England Patriots planning to move cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the Green Bay Packers were mentioned as a possible landing spot. Whether via trade or signing after his release, the connection with Gilmore to Green Bay -- particularly amid the team's injury situation at cornerback -- was a popular one for discussion.

That discussion is now over, thanks to the Carolina Panthers. That team acquired Gilmore in a trade this afternoon, putting an end to any hopes of the Packers picking him up instead.

Carolina added Gilmore for a very cheap price, giving up just a 6th-round draft pick in 2023 while picking up at least the remainder of his $7 million salary for this season. He will join C.J. Henderson, whom the Panthers also recently acquired, in a cornerback room that featured first-round rookie Jaycee Horn before his recent season-ending injury.

Green Bay will move forward with the status quo at corner for the time being. Rookie Eric Stokes should remain a starter for the foreseeable future while Alexander's shoulder injury and Kevin King's concussion keep them as question marks for the short term. That may also lead to more snaps for Isaac Yiadom and rookie 5th-round pick Shemar Jean-Charles, as well as a possible promotion for practice squad corner Kabion Ento.