Stephon Gilmore trade rumors: Patriots asking price is rightfully high

Stephon Gilmore has been a subject of trade rumors with the Patriots.

Leading up to the 2020 NFL trade deadline, New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore has been the subject of trade rumors. With Bill Belichick’s club dropping to 2-5 on the season, there has been speculation that they could sell off their valuable assets, Gilmore being the most valuable of the bunch. And as you’d expect, other teams have been calling.

As it turns out, the reason that a trade hasn’t happened yet is likely due to the Patriots’ asking price. ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on Tuesday ahead of the deadline that teams have indeed reached out to New England but the asking price for the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is a first-round pick and a player coming to the Pats.

That’s certainly a high cost to acquire the cornerback. But, at the same time, it’s one that Belichick and New England are 100 percent right in asking given their situation.

A Stephon Gilmore trade will be costly but rightfully so.

The conversation about the high asking price for a Stephon Gilmore trade begins with the market value for a top-tier cornerback. Just last season, we saw the Rams give up two first-round picks for Jalen Ramsey. You could make the argument that, though Gilmore is older, he’s more proven than Ramsey. So asking for a single first-rounder and a player isn’t too much to expect.

Beyond that, the Patriots aren’t necessarily in a position where they must trade Gilmore. Despite the team’s struggles this season, they are in what could be a brief period of transition. Hit harder by COVID-related opt-outs than any other team, New England began the year working behind the 8-ball. And COVID positives for Cam Newton, among others, haven’t helped matters.

As such, it’s not hard to imagine Gilmore and the defense returning at full strength next season and making this team competitive in the AFC East once again. So yes, trading Gilmore isn’t a necessity, even if getting return for him would be in their best interest.

Perhaps the biggest piece of the puzzle is that the Patriots might actually accept less for a trade. It’s a simple matter of ask for $100 when you’re fine leaving with $50. Maybe they only want a first-round pick for the cornerback. So you ask for more and make a trade partner feel as if they’re winning the deal by conceding part of the asking price to get something done.

Whether or not a Stephon Gilmore trade gets done prior to the deadline remains to be seen. But we apparently know the asking price and, though it may seem high, the Patriots are certainly right to ask for that in a deal.