Early in the NFL’s legal tampering period, the Buffalo Bills learned that they were losing a valuable player on their offense in fullback Reggie Gilliam. He wasn’t just leaving the Bills, he was heading to the New England Patriots on a three-year deal that is worth up to $12 million. Not only are the Bills losing an underrated player, but now they will see him twice a year.
Since 2020, Gilliam has been an important factor to the offense and has helped the Bills establish a fantastic rushing attack that features James Cook. He does the work that went overlooked and he also helped the Bills become very efficient at the infamous “tush push” where Josh Allen has picked up a lot of first downs and scored a lot of touchdowns.
Not to mention, he helped Cook become the league’s leading rusher in 2025. The Bills will now head into a different direction on what their plan will be to make sure Buffalo’s rushing attack doesn’t go away under Joe Brady.
On the surface level, the loss of Gilliam may not look significant. Make no mistake though, it is, and Aaron Schatz from ESPN believes that New England’s most underrated free agency signing is bringing in Gilliam.
"Gilliam gives them one of the top fullbacks in the league to lead the way blocking from the I-formation. He's not going to catch passes -- he has three receptions in the past three seasons -- but that's not what they need him for in Foxborough anyway." said Schatz.
Patriots get praise for signing Reggie Gilliam (and Bills fans are upset about it)
Gilliam is one of those players that does so much and doesn’t get enough credit. He is great at run blocking and he also brings in solid pass protection. The rushing attack in Buffalo could do so many things behind Gilliam and now the Patriots will benefit from it.
With Buffalo and New England looking like they will be going back-and-forth in the AFC East in the foreseeable future, the Patriots gain a great asset to their rushing attack and the duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson should be even stronger now that Gilliam will be opening up running lanes.
When the Bills and Patriots face off against each other twice a year, Gilliam will be part of the enemy and Bills fans won’t like seeing it. For years now, they have cheered for him and now they will have to boo him.