Panthers GM says door is open to signing former DPOY after NFL Draft

The Panthers are a young team that is still several pieces away from being a true contender. It won't get there any quicker without its first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

That's why addressing its needs through free agency has been so important this offseason for Carolina, and general manager Dan Morgan hinted the team isn't done making moves.

On Thursday, Morgan said the door is still open to sign veteran cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, per Panthers.com's Darin Gantt.

Gilmore is arguably the top free agent still available on the open market. He is coming off yet another productive season in 2023 when he registered 68 tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions and 13 passes defensed with the Cowboys.

The Panthers were in contact with the 33-year-old earlier this offseason, but a deal was never made.

That could change very soon, however, as Morgan said the team plans to revisit the possibility of adding Gilmore to the roster after next week's draft.

Although Gilmore may be looking to join a Super Bowl contender in 2024, which the Panthers are highly unlikely to be after finishing the 2023 season with the worst record in the league (2-15), he will have a little more incentive to sign with Carolina this time around.

His former high school teammate, edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney, joined the Panthers in late March and said he was going to urge Gilmore to join him in Carolina.

"I'm looking forward to that. Hopefully he pull up and come play here. Me and him, have some fun here," Clowney said, via Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk.

The Panthers traded for Gilmore in 2021 before he moved onto play with the Colts and Cowboys the past two seasons. A reunion could make a lot of sense for both sides, especially if Carolina doesn't come away with a starting-caliber corner at the draft.