Stephon Gilmore reportedly leaving Bills for rival Patriots

Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore is leaving Buffalo for good.

Adam Schefter is reporting that former Buffalo Bills No. 1 corner will be signing with the New England Patriots tomorrow, barring any unforeseen setbacks. With Gilmore helping to set the upper reaches of the cornerback market, it’s hard to imagine the Patriots doubling down and matching a Butler contract offer if another team swoops in with big money.

Back to Gilmore, a first-round pick for the Bills in 2012 who had five interceptions last season and has 14 in his career to go along with 62 passes defensed.

We’ll have more of the terms for the contract as they come in. Of course, that loss can not be celebrated too much by Miami Dolphins fans, as it appears Gilmore will be signing with the New England Patriots when the free agency signing period opens Thursday afternoon.

Gilmore figures to form a starting corner tandem with 2015 Pro Bowler Malcolm Butler provided the Pats don’t lose him as a restricted free agent. The Patriots put a first-round tender on Butler earlier this week, guaranteeing him $3.91 million in 2017, but expectations had been that the two sides would try to hammer out a long-term deal.

As for the Bills, they move forward with Ronald Darby and Kevon Seymour as the two top cornerbacks on their depth chart. The Patriots’ standard is winning Super Bowls, and not surprisingly they did not capture a Lombardi Trophy during that time.

The Saints may also be preparing to part with Cooks, as they signed free agent Ted Ginn Jr.

But the secondary was in focus and the draw to Gilmore was obvious. This is strikingly similar to the way they prepared for the 2014 gauntlet of quarterbacks by signing Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner.

The Bills released safety Aaron Williams after missing most of last season with his second, season ending neck injury.