The Dallas Cowboys should probably prepare to lose a pretty significant piece of their defense in free agency this offseason.

Mike D’Abate of Sports Illustrated believes that the Cowboys will let cornerback Stephon Gilmore walk this spring due to their tenuous salary cap situation.

“Dallas is entering the new league year with the intent of clearing cap space,” wrote D’Abate. “And may look to allocate that money to greater positions of need. … Given [DaRon] Bland’s emergence, along with his far-more palatable $1.06 million cap number, keeping Gilmore in the Cowboys fold may ultimately be too expensive for their liking heading into 2024.”

It’s important to keep in mind that Dallas will be getting superstar cornerback Trevon Diggs back from an ACL tear next season, so with the emergence of Bland coupled with Diggs’ return, the probable loss of Gilmore will not sting as much as one might think.

However, that’s not to take away from what Gilmore achieved with the Cowboys this year.

The veteran played in all 17 games during the regular season, registering 68 tackles, a couple of interceptions, a forced fumble and 13 passes defended. While he is no longer his former All-Pro self, he was still good enough to help Dallas’ passing defense finish fifth in the NFL.

The Cowboys acquired Gilmore in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts last March.

Gilmore spent the first five years of his career with the Buffalo Bills, making one Pro Bowl appearance before landing with the New England Patriots for four years. During that time, he made three Pro Bowls and earned four First-Team All-Pro selections. He also helped the Patriots win a Super Bowl during the 2018-19 campaign.

The 33-year-old then spent one year with the Carolina Panthers and one season with the Colts before finding himself in Dallas.

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