The Patriots added some punch to their backfield on Monday, with Mike Garafolo reporting that the team agreed to terms on a 3-year deal worth up to $12 million with Bills free agent fullback Reggie Gilliam.
Gilliam was widely considered to be one of the best available fullbacks in free agency, and his addition quietly fills a glaring need for the Patriots, who struggled when it came to picking up tough yards in key situations.
The Patriots saw their backfield carry 61 times with 1-yard to go in 2025, including the postseason, with 40 first downs. On 3rd-and-1, they carried the football 27 times and moved the chains just 18 times.
But the most staggering number came down on the goal line. The Patriots carried the football 11 times for -3 yards in 2025 (including the postseason), with their running backs punching it in just twice in that situation.
They were an even more shocking 0-for-4 on 3rd-and-goal from the one-yard line in 2025.
That tells you just how difficult it was for the Patriots to get any power in their backfield, with both defensive tackles Milton Williams and Khyris Tonga both having been called upon to try and provide a push when they needed it. Tonga saw the majority of snaps in that role, and he just moved on to Kansas City after agreeing to a 3-year deal with the Chiefs on Monday.
The hope is that the six-foot, 244-pound Gilliam can be the piece they’ve been missing, especially in short yardage. He was a key reason for Bills running back James Cook’s success in 2025, with Cook racking up 1,621 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns during the regular season.
For now, while it’s not an exciting signing, it could very well pay dividends if, given their struggles last season, the Patriots see improvement in moving the chains in 2026.
Meanwhile, the Patriots also tendered exclusive rights free agent and fellow fullback and tight end Jack Westover on Monday, which will keep him in the fold heading into training camp later this summer.
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Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.
Gilliams was a key guy in BUFF’s special team blocking. That’s value in the NFL. He also can move a bit on offense, meaning he can block in space on zone runs outside. So he’s got some pluses that some FBs don’t have.