Stephon Gilmore excels in his Panthers’ debut. He’s ‘looking forward’ to the Patriots

It took a few series to find Stephon Gilmore.

Questions like “Has Gilmore played yet?” simmered throughout the Mercedes-Benz Stadium press box early in the first quarter.

Then No. 9 jogged onto the field with 1:12 to play in the first quarter. Tied 3-3, Atlanta held possession near midfield. Two plays prior, rookie cornerback Keith Taylor Jr. committed pass interference against Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts.

It wasn’t a horrendous foul, but Taylor appeared too small and inexperienced for Pitts, who was split out like a wide receiver. When Pitts broke inside on a deep-in route, Taylor grabbed the rookie’s hip to slow him. Easy call.

That was probably all coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow needed to see. Enter Gilmore. Donning long white sleeves to match Carolina’s whiteout uniforms, Gilmore anchored the right outside cornerback spot on his first snap. But no action came his way. That soon changed.

Facing third-and-5, Gilmore drew his first matchup with Pitts. Their looming duel featured a six-inch height difference and a 50-pound weight discrepancy. Pitts tested his physical advantages immediately. At the snap, he crashed into Gilmore. The 2019 Defensive Player of the Year held firm while Pitts ran a short slant. Safety Jeremy Chinn helped inside and quarterback Matt Ryan threw left for a first down.

Gilmore spent the next three quarters proving he didn’t need help. After back-to-back 100-yard games, Pitts caught only two passes for 13 yards on Sunday. In the second quarter, Gilmore allowed a 2-yard reception. Then Pitts didn’t have a second-half catch.

“He’s a great player and kind of gave me a welcome into the NFL,” Pitts said of Gilmore. “He’s just a previous Defensive Player of the Year and did some different things that I haven’t seen before, so it’s just time for me to go back to the lab and fix it.”

Playing in his first game since Week 12 of the 2020 season, Rhule planned on using Gilmore sparingly. Snap-count totals are not immediately available postgame but Gilmore estimated he played less than 40% of the game.

His reps were very efficient. None more than his game-sealing interception with 1:58 play. Atlanta trailed by nine, sitting on Carolina’s 30. Gilmore moved into the slot, following Pitts. Gilmore said he anticipated Pitt’s route based on his release. Which makes sense, Gilmore basically ran the route for him. Ryan threw a deep crossing route intended for Pitts, but Gilmore undercut it for his first Panthers’ interception. His teammates hounded him, circling Gilmore near the 15-yard line for a mini welcoming party.

“Stephon (Gilmore) in certain packages played on (Pitts),” Rhule said. “He ended up playing 25-30 (snaps) maybe. But certain packages (he) did a really nice job of playing against him.”

Gilmore helped Carolina win 19-13 and improve to 4-4. Pitts caught just two of his six targets. Atlanta tried force-feeding him but Gilmore didn’t allow it.

His presence provides coverage sack opportunities Rhule and Snow are eager for. On a third-quarter play near midfield, Pitts ran a stick route from a condensed split. Ryan looked right as Pitts stepped 5 yards vertical then broke out. Ryan snapped his head right but Gilmore stuck close. When Ryan looked away, Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu collapsed on him for the sack.

Gilmore’s debut mirrored linebacker Shaq Thompson’s return from injury. Thompson also had an interception as Carolina’s pass coverage smothered Ryan. He completed 20-of-27 passes for 146 yards and a mere 5.4 yards per attempt.

“If you look back and look at his man-to-man techniques he did a hell of a job on No. 8,” Thompson said. “It’s a welcome back just to play football. He’s been out for a while.”

After the game, Gilmore said he played OK. He deflected questions about his health by saying he’ll focus on taking care of his body. It’s important to remember Gilmore practiced for the first time last week.

“I wanted that matchup,” Gilmore said of covering Pitts. “It feels great anytime to make a play and your teammates celebrate with you.”

Next week the Panthers host New England. Gilmore played three seasons with the Patriots, playing in two Super Bowls and winning one. New England traded Gilmore to Carolina in October for a sixth-round pick.

Before his press conference concluded, Gilmore said he’s looking forward to playing his former team. When asked if this game would mean a little extra, he calmly responded, “A lot extra.”