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Former top defender Stephon Gilmore retires after 13 seasons

By Thomson Reuters Apr 2, 2026 | 4:30 PM

Former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore formally announced his retirement on Thursday.

The five-time Pro Bowl ​cornerback over 13 NFL seasons ‌didn’t play in 2025.

“I have had an incredible 13 years in the League, and I cannot wait to see what this next chapter holds,” ‌Gilmore ​said on Instagram.

Gilmore, 35, ⁠had 32 interceptions, eight ⁠forced fumbles and 617 tackles over 180 games (173 starts) with six teams. He played for the Buffalo Bills (2012-16) and New ​England Patriots (2017-20) before finishing his career with four teams in four years.

His ⁠best season came with ⁠the Patriots in 2019 when he ​led the NFL with six interceptions — returning ​two for touchdowns — and breaking up 20 ‌passes for the second straight season.

In the 2018 postseason, Gilmore intercepted two passes to help the Patriots during a run ⁠to the Super Bowl title. He was a first-team All-Pro in 2018 and 2019.

Gilmore also played ⁠for the ‌Carolina Panthers (2021), Indianapolis Colts (2022), Dallas ⁠Cowboys (2023) and Minnesota Vikings (2024).

Gilmore is ​a ‌native of Rock Hill, S.C., and ​played college ⁠football at South Carolina from 2009-11. He had eight interceptions for the Gamecocks and was the No. 10 overall pick by the Bills in the 2012 NFL Draft.

–Field ​Level Media