Even with the game becoming increasingly pass-centric and despite having the greatest quarterback of all time under center, the New England Patriots of the 2010s remained steadfast in their belief in a balanced offense. Accordingly, they were one of the few teams to still employ a traditional fullback during those years.
Fast forward to 2026, and an offense that is going back to its roots. The only difference is the lack of a neck roll.
Conceptually, however, Reggie Gilliam will very much be used like
James Develin was back in the day. The free agency signing, who spent the first six seasons of his career in Buffalo, said so himself on Thursday.
“I love the offense. [Josh] McDaniels is a lot of fun to play for, and he uses a fullback,” Gilliam said about his new team and offensive coordinator. “He showed me a lot of film with James Develin in here. He said, ‘Watch a lot of him. What we do with him is what we’re trying to do with you.’ I’m looking forward to that.”
What lessons did he draw from that film, though?
“That you could be anywhere,” he said. “You could be in the backfield. You could be at tight end. You could be split out. You could be anywhere in this offense.”
Gilliam is no stranger to a flexible role. During his final season with the Bills, he lined up in the backfield, as an inline blocker, in the slot and even split out wide; additionally, he also was a core member of the team’s kicking game operation.
Back in the day, Develin was used similarly. During his stint in New England from 2012 to 2019, he too moved around the formation to allow McDaniels to run different plays from the same grouping. Look no further than the only touchdown drive of Super Bowl LIII against the Rams, when Develin’s presence helped the Patriots gain the upper hand in what had been a defensive battle up until this point.
Whether or not Gilliam will have the same impact remains to be seen. He does have the versatility, and also offers similar levels of physical play.
As for Develin’s trademark neck roll, on the other hand, it will not be making its return to Foxborough.
“I don’t like something squeezing my neck,” Gilliam explained. “The neck roll — not for me.”
