Will Josh McDaniels Bring Back the Fullback and What Does It Mean for New England's Offense?

One of the quieter situations developing during the offseason with the New England Patriots has to do with the makeup of the offensive roster as the team prepares for training camp.

Are the Patriots looking to utilize a true, old-school fullback in the Josh McDaniels offense?

McDaniels has strong history

If the past is any indication, McDaniels loves the traditional fullback. The Patriots carved out an important spot for James Develin at the position from 2012-2019 with McDaniels running things in Foxborough.

Currently on the 90-man roster, New England has former Buffalo Bill Reggie Gilliam, a six-year vet; undrafted 2025 free agent Brock Lampe who got hurt in training camp a year ago; and hybrid tight end Jack Westover, who in his second pro season saw time at both spots for the team a year ago.

"Our system has always been the same. Get the players, find out what they do best, and try to figure out how to fit what we're doing around the players," said McDaniels of his offensive philosophy during OTAs.

How good is Gilliam?

None of the three is the second coming of San Francisco's Kyle Juszczyk or Baltimore's Patrick Ricard.

Or are they?

Pro Football Focus had Gilliam rated at the top of the fullback pile after his 2025 season in Buffalo.

Maybe, McDaniels is serious about going to more of a two-back offensive look with a guy like the 6-foot, 244-pound Gilliam leading the way for Rhamondre Stevenson or TreVeyon Henderson.

Gilliam played just 21 percent of the offensive snaps last year in Buffalo and 77 percent of the special teams plays. Develin, during the McDaniels' years, played over 30 percent of the plays on offense.

He's a bruiser whose hands will be tested in the summer. He needs to be able to catch the football. For his career, all he has is 16 grabs.

Gauging the other options

Lampe, who played his college ball at Northern Illinois, was thought well enough by the team to be brought back for a second chance.

And Westover, who might be a bit of a tweener, played 237 offensive snaps last year and will need to show that his instincts as a lead blocker can be trusted.

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This story was originally published July 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM.