The New England Patriots made a move this offseason that took almost every NFL observer by surprise when they signed former Buffalo Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore to a huge contract in free agency. With restricted free agent Malcolm Butler not able to reach a long-term deal with New England, the Patriots wasted little time in inking Gilmore at the start of free agency.
What has not been answered is why New England made this out-of-character aggressive move in free agency. The answer is in their recent past.
For the Patriots, Gilmore represents the cornerback who got away: Aqib Talib.