Should the Patriots rework Stephon Gilmore's contract?
New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft wears a mask on the field as he talks with New England Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore (24) before the Patriots take on the Miami Dolphins during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020. AP  Welcome to Boston.coms Sports Q, our daily conversation, initiated by you and moderated by Chad Finn, about a compelling topic in Boston sports. Heres how it works: You submit questions to Chad through Twitter, Facebook, and email. Hell pick one each weekday to answer, then well take the discussion to the comments. Chad will stop by several times per day to navigate. But you drive the conversation. This is one of those contract disputes where its easy to see both sides. Actually, dispute is probably too strong of a word there, even if Gilmore did miss the first day of mandatory minicamp Monday. Its not so much a dispute as it is a play for leverage that should surprise no one. Gilmore, the 2019 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and arguably the best free-agent signing in Patriots history, is entering the final year of his contract due to make $7.9 million. That is well below the going rate for an elite cornerback, and Gilmore, 30, has absolutely been elite in his four seasons with the Patriots, making three Pro Bowls and earning two All-Pro selections. The Patriots have had some superb corners through the years  Mike Haynes, Raymond Clayborn, Ty Law, even Darrelle Revis for a year  but no one has ever been better for a single season than Gilmore in 19, when he led the AFC in interceptions (6) and passes defensed (20), and an opposing passer rating of 48.0. Advertisement:  But it also must be noted that he hasnt been underpaid, banking more than $56 million as a Patriot so far. He was still a quality cornerback last year, but not nearly as impenetrable as he was in 19. And he did miss the last five games last season with a partially torn quad. Its fully understandable if the Patriots want to see him in action and how the quad has recovered before giving him a new deal. Staying away from minicamp helps him get his point across, but actually being there and proving hes healthy would probably serve him better in the presumed quest for a new deal. I hope the Patriots sign him to, say, a new three-year deal. It would seem counterproductive to have spent the offseason  and more than $150 million in guarantees  to reinforce the roster, only to move on from the best defensive player in the league just two years ago. Theyre trying to contend now, and Gilmore presumably helps that cause. But Bill Belichick has never been averse from moving on from a player a year too early or when the players contract demands exceeded the teams valuation of him. I mean, he even did it with that quarterback down there in Tampa Bay. Im not going to be surprised by any outcome with Gilmore. But I do hope they keep him around on a new deal. Hes a holdover as a very good player on a reloaded roster. And cornerbacks of his capabilities are not easy to find. Ill hear you in the comments.