The latest reporting suggests that the Cowboys may have made headway in re-signing Stephon Gilmore.

The Dallas Cowboys are still playing hardball with their star cornerback Stephon Gilmore. Despite the former Pro Bowler having an excellent season in his first year as a Cowboy, Jerry Jones & Co. have decided to wait it out instead of offering him a new contract. As a result, Gilmore is still a free agent with plenty of cornerback-needy teams as his suitors.

The latest reporting by Michael Gehlken of Dallas Morning News could signal a potential return for Gilmore. According to him, Ezekiel Elliott will be wearing no. 15 in Dallas next season instead of no. 21 he wore in his first Cowboys stint. Considering that Gilmore wore the number last season, that was seen as a hint that the 33-year-old defender might be coming back for another season.

Cowboys News: Zeke’s New Number Signals a Stephon Gilmore Return

It’s important to note that Gehlken says there is “nothing imminent” about Gilmore’s return. This could simply be Elliott preferring a new jersey number he liked in New England.

It is understandable that Cowboys fans are reading into the jersey number announcement. Gilmore was excellent in Dallas last season, playing in every game and only allowing 55.8% completion and 82.7 passer rating when targeted. He showcased his veteran competence by almost never missing a tackle, and registering 13 passes defended and two interceptions.

The Cowboys have DaRon Bland and Trevon Diggs as part of their star-studded cornerback rotation. One could argue that Gilmore is more of a luxury than necessity for Dallas but a team with Super Bowl hopes shouldn’t be letting players of Gilmore’s caliber walk for nothing.