FOXBOROUGH - How does Reggie Gilliam know when the running game is going well?
“I know when I feel the back cut off my hip,” he laughed. “Usually, that's a good indicator that we’ve blocked it up a hat for a hat.”
After trying to get by with Jack Westover at fullback a year ago, the Patriots added Gilliam this offseason in what should be an instant upgrade. Westover did what he could, but Gilliam brings experience and real credentials to the spot.
He helped pave the way for one of the best ground games in all of football in 2024 and 2025 with the Bills, and there was some real internal consternation in Buffalo over his departure. That said, they were in no real position to extend themselves the way the Pats did, and yes, New England made sure Gilliam couldn’t say no. It may have been a bit of an overpay - including the signing bonus, he’s getting $6 million in 2026. - but if he can impact Josh McDaniels’ offense like he did Joe Brady’s, well, it will have been money well spent.
“Coming here, talking to Josh and him telling me about all the plans he has for me, (I’m) super excited for it,” Gilliam said after Tuesday’s walkthrough.
Earlier this summer, Mike Vrabel talked about the number of things that make for a good running football team, but one of them stuck out to me like a sore thumb: “You have to