The Buffalo Bills have seen several players agree to terms with other teams on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period. Among the notable moves, backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky has signed a two-year deal with the Tennessee Titans.
Reggie Gilliam Leaves the Bills For New England
Shortly after the Trubisky news, another Bills player is on the move. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, former Bills fullback Reggie Gilliam has agreed to a three-year deal worth $12 million, with $6 million guaranteed, to join the New England Patriots.
“The Patriots have agreed to terms with fullback Reggie Gilliam on a three-year deal worth up to $12 million with $6 million fully guaranteed in a deal done by his agent Brad Cicala,” Garafolo wrote Monday on X.
Gilliam has spent the last six seasons with the Bills, appearing in 94 games and starting 11.
While losing a fullback might not seem like a significant blow, the Bills do rely on this position for their offensive strategy. It seems a bit shortsighted for Buffalo not to bring him back, especially since the team plans to stick with the same offensive scheme that has been in place for the past few seasons since Joe Brady transitioned from offensive coordinator to head coach.
Pro Football Focus ranked Gilliam as their No. 166 best free agent on the open market this offseason.
“Even as a fullback, Gilliam has been a key part of the Bills’ offense over the last few years,” PFF wrote on Monday. “He peaked in 2025 with a 72.4 overall PFF grade, the best of his career. Gilliam was instrumental as a blocker with an 89.5 PFF pass-blocking mark and a 75.1 PFF run-blocking grade. The second-most-valuable full back by PFF Wins Above Replacement over the last two years, Gilliam is helping keep a unique position alive and well.”
Patriots And Bills Have a New Rivalry
The Patriots and Bills have long been fierce rivals in the AFC East, but this rivalry could reach new heights in the upcoming season. After years of dominance under Tom Brady, New England saw the Bills rise to prominence following his departure in 2020. Since then, the Bills have captured the AFC East title for five consecutive seasons. However, in a stunning turn of events last season, the Patriots emerged from nowhere to reclaim the division crown.
Now that New England and Buffalo are neck-and-neck, with players leaving for the other team, this could add even more fuel to the rivalry.
Gilliam will now face the Bills twice a season, which could be a good fit for the Patriots. Having spent time with Buffalo and working alongside Brady, he is well-acquainted with the offensive scheme they are trying to implement.
The Bills and Patriots games should be exciting this season, and it will be interesting to see how much of an impact Gilliam has on New England and if Buffalo is going to find a new fullback.
Report: Ex-Bills Six-Year NFL Veteran Reaches Agreement to Join Patriots