Belichick Did Not Screw Around When it Came to Setting the Asking Price for Stephon Gilmore

As I mentioned just under a week ago, Stephon Gilmore's house in Foxboro is on the market. 

And, like they say on every HGTV show where the kind of couple your wife could be friends with but you'd always be looking for any excuse to get out of having dinner with them because they're annoying and tedious is shopping for a home, he's a motivated seller. His listing specifically says under "Property Details," "All offers if any due on Tuesday, November 3rd @ 5PM." 

So It's priced to move! No reasonable offer will be refused! This lovely home can be ready for you to move in today! and all that. 

But no so fast. Gilmore's house might be a bargain, but according to ESPN, he will not be. If somebody wants him at the trade deadline, they better be motivated buyers because Belichick expects to get PAID.

That's right. The Patriots have the leverage on this one and they're going to use it. Gilmore is the defending Defensive Player of the Year. He's under contract for next season. He just got a bump in pay so money shouldn't be an issue for him. They have as much cap room for 2021 as almost anybody. They could easily stand pat and just assign him to every opponent's No. 1 receiver next year without a second thought. 

Which means they're in a seller's market and it's serious buyers only. Don't waste their time with talk about second rounders or packaging Saturday draft picks because they'll hang up on you and block your number. Belichick is looking to make draft bank. He wants some of those Draft Value Chart stacks. He expects to piles of that selection cheddar. (Note, I assume that's how you kids today refer to wealth. That's the way we talked about it when every rap song began with "My name is ___ / And I'm here to say / I [something something]/ In ev-er-y way …" Maybe you don't any more and I apologize for any confusion.)

And to that I say, good. Great, in fact. God knows I've listened to enough talk about how Belichick caved in to John Lynch in San Francisco, accepting just a second rounder for Jimmy Garoppolo. If a DII quarterback who'd only played six quarters of pro football before getting injured is worth a first in everyone's eyes, than the best defensive player in the league last year is worth at least that, plus a player. Hopefully one who can step in and help right away. If not, if there are no takers, than fine. Win/win. Our cornerback position is all set for next year as well.

If I had my choice, Gilmore would stay. But if it comes down to it and they get a first for him, I can accept that, given the odds of making the playoffs got really slim in Buffalo Sunday. And if that's the case, I'll look forward to Belichick flipping the pick for two Day 2 picks, trading one of those for two third rounders, then using them on some developmental players, Rutgers defensive backs, special teamers and guys who'll spend most of their rookie seasons on injured reserve. 

Sorry. I'm in a bad place emotionally. I don't even recognize who I am anymore. Is this what it's like to be a Jaguars fan? I need to get better.