Stephon Gilmore Holding Out From Patriots Minicamp

2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and four-time Pro Bowler Stephon Gilmore is currently holding out of Patriots mandatory minicamp, hoping that he’ll receive a new contract from New England.

When asked Monday whether the cornerback would attend the mandatory three-day minicamp, the always talkative Bill Belichick avoided the question and directed the attention towards Mother Nature: "Had a little weather here, we're working through some travel arrangements. We'll see what the full level of participation is here today and for this week. I'm sure we'll have a pretty full roster," Belichick said via NFL.com.

Pressed about whether Gilmore specifically had his travel arrangements affected by weather, Belichick refused to take the bait, telling NFL.com: "Like I said, we were kind of scrambling to get things going this morning, so I didn't really have a chance to see everyone myself, so we'll see where we're at."

Despite a quad injury that forced him to miss five games last season, Gilmore remains one of the top defensive backs in the league. In nine seasons, the first five of which were in Buffalo, Gilmore has tallied 25 interceptions and more than 100 pass deflections. In 2017, Gilmore joined the Patriots via free agency, signing for $65 million over five years. The contract made Gilmore one of the highest paid defensive backs in the league. Since then, contracts have ballooned, and Gilmore’s average salary per season is now outside of the top 10 earners at his position.

Feeling a raise is justifiable given his play, Gilmore reportedly plans to miss the entire three-day Patriots minicamp. It seems that only Mother Nature making it rain in his direction could alter his plans.