South Carolina Football: Ranking the highest-paid NFL Gamecocks of all-time

South Carolina Football’s Greatest NFL Career Earner:
Cornerback Stephon Gilmore

Stephon Gilmore was one of the first defensive players taken in the 2012 NFL Draft when the Buffalo Bills took him in the first round. Gilmore was a Pro Bowler in Buffalo but took his game to the next level after moving on to the New England Patriots with a massive 5-year, $65 Million contract in free agency.

With the Patriots, Gilmore was worth even more than his substantial price tag as he made four more Pro Bowls and won the Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He also played in two Super Bowls, winning one. He was a major factor even in the losing Super Bowl by shutting down former Gamecock teammate Alshon Jeffery after being switched onto him after Jeffery’s strong start to the game.

After finishing the 2021 season fighting injuries with the Carolina Panthers, he signed a deal with the Indianapolis Colts for 2022 and bounced back to become one of the top trade targets of the 2023 offseason. The Cowboys traded for Gilmore and were considered one of the winners of the offseason.

With a solid 2023 season, Gilmore’s expiring contract will be replaced with another big dollar figure in free agency, and his $108.5 Million career earnings will continue to grow.