The Buffalo Bills selected cornerback Stephon Gilmore with the tenth pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. Today, he announced his retirement from the NFL.
Gilmore made one Pro Bowl with the Bills in five seasons, picking off five passes in 2016 before signing a huge free agent contract with the New England Patriots. It was there his career really blossomed, with two first-team All-Pro nods, two Pro Bowls, and a Defensive Player of the Year award to go alongside a Lombardi trophy. He spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Dallas Cowboys, and Minnesota Vikings.
Gilmore didn’t play during the 2025 season.
Here is the video Gilmore shared on social media:
Stephon Gilmore’s career with the Buffalo Bills
Gilmore was selected in the first round by the Bills in 2012, the second cornerback off the board. He slotted into the starting lineup immediately opposite Aaron Williams in a group that included George Wilson and Jairus Byrd at safety and Terrence McGee in the mix.
He started 66 games over the course of five seasons, recording 14 interceptions, knocking down 62 passes, forcing four fumbles, and a fumble recovery to go with 226 tackles.
One of the reasons Gilmore may not have reached his full potential in Buffalo is constant turnover — he played for four head coaches in five seasons and had four different defensive coordinators in his first four seasons.