Patriots Notes: Williams, Barmore, Hollins
Terrell Williams was hired by the Patriots last offseason to be the team’s defensive coordinator. He was away from the organization during minicamp while dealing with a medical issue, and it was later revealed that the 51-year-old had been diagnosed with prostate cancer. Linebackers coach Zak Kuhr took over the defensive play-calling duties and retained that responsibility for the entire regular season and playoffs.
Williams returned late in the year but did not travel for away games, and he later announced that he was cancer-free. To avoid any confusion about roles heading into the 2026 offseason, Mike Vrabel quickly transitioned Williams to a “high-ranking” job on his staff, with Kuhr eventually being named the full-time DC.
We’ve now got clarity on Williams’ new role for next season, as the team announced that he’s been named assistant head coach. Williams actually held that same role with the Titans during Vrabel’s final season in Tennessee, and his familiarity with his boss clearly played a role in him sticking in New England. When recently describing his assistant’s new gig, Vrabel noted that Williams will continue to have a major influence on the defensive line.
“It’s going to be a strong role on the defense,” Vrabel said (via ESPN’s Mike Reiss). “He’s going to act as a coordinator in presenting information and ideas and making sure we’re really solid across the front from our edges to the interior. We have some guys inside that I think can continue to develop and grow, whether that’s Milt [Williams], Christian [Barmore] or anybody else. I think those guys can continue to get better; Terrell will have a large hand in that, but he’s also going to be able to help me and be an extension of me throughout our program.”
The Patriots announced the rest of their 2026 coaching staff the other day, with the team returning many of their coaches from last year. One name who wasn’t included on this year’s list was Ben McAdoo, who served as a senior assistant in 2025. Reiss recently wrote that the veteran coach didn’t have his contract option exercised, leading to some uncertainty about his status with the organization. McAdoo’s absence from the team’s announcement indicates that he won’t be back with the Patriots in 2026.
More notes out of New England…
- Patriots defensive tackle Christian Barmore was arrested on a domestic assault charge late last year, but prosecutors dropped the case last week, per a report from WCVB in Boston. The 26-year-old was in court for a potential arraignment, but the prosecutor eventually determined that the case was “not viable” since it featured a “delayed complaint” coupled with the victim’s “mixed emotions about whether she wanted to go forward.” The victim claimed she had an argument with Barmore in 2025 that ultimately led to a physical incident that caused bruising. Barmore could still be subject to discipline by the NFL based on the personal conduct policy.
- Last month, the Patriots handed Mack Hollins‘ $400K for a missed incentive, per OverTheCap.com. The wideout didn’t hit the bonus after his late-season stint on injured reserve, but the Patriots still decided to pay out the extra cash. The veteran’s first season in New England saw him haul in 46 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns before adding another 129 yards and a score in two postseason games.
- We’ve got a handful of updates on New England’s recent free agent signings. Per ESPN’s Mike Reiss, tight end Julian Hill got a three-year, $15MM deal from the Patriots that could hit up to $18MM via incentives. The contract contains $7.5MM in guaranteed money, including a $4.2MM signing bonus. Meanwhile, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reports that fullback Reggie Gilliam got a three-year deal worth a max value of $12MM, with $6MM in guaranteed money owed through the first two years. Finally, Reiss reports that safety Kevin Byard‘s one-year deal with the Patriots is worth $7MM, with the potential for up to $9MM in earnings. Byard got a $3.5MM signing bonus and will earn $6.17MM in guaranteed money.
Patriots, FB Reggie Gilliam Agree To Deal
After a six-year run in Buffalo, Reggie Gilliam will head elsewhere in the AFC East. The veteran fullback has agreed to join the Patriots on a three-year deal worth up to $12MM, per his agents (h/t NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo). The pact includes $6MM guaranteed.
Gilliam earned a reputation as one of the league’s top fullbacks during his long stint in Buffalo. He ultimately got into 94 games across six seasons with the Bills, plus another 14 playoff appearances. Gilliam was often among those credited with the Bills effective rushing attack, especially following James Cook‘s standout campaign in 2025.
That’s about the extent of Gilliam’s offensive contributions. He had an occasional touch in Buffalo, but nothing that would signal he’s in line for a larger role with a new team. Gilliam finished his Bills tenure with 24 touches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
The Patriots offensive line struggled mightily in the postseason. While a fullback can’t single-handedly turn around the team’s fortunes, he should at the very least help keep Drake Maye upright while also opening holes for Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
It seemed like Josh McDaniels was interested in implementing a fullback in the Patriots 2025 scheme. However, Jack Westover struggled in the role, forcing the team to occasionally turn to DT Khyiris Tonga for some fullback snaps. Now, the team has a legitimate fullback for the foreseeable future.
Adam La Rose contributed to this post.
Minor NFL Transactions: 3/11/25
Here are today’s minor moves from around the NFL:
Buffalo Bills
- Re-signed: FB Reggie Gilliam
- Signed: RB Darrynton Evans
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: LS Scott Daly
Dallas Cowboys
- Re-signed: P Bryan Anger
Detroit Lions
- Re-signed: DT Myles Adams
Houston Texans
- Re-signed: S M.J. Stewart
- Signed: LB Nick Niemann
Indianapolis Colts
- Re-signed: C Wesley French
Kansas City Chiefs
- Signed: TE Robert Tonyan, LB Cole Christiansen
Los Angeles Rams
- Suspended: WR Drake Stoops
Miami Dolphins
- Re-signed: LB Quinton Bell
New Orleans Saints
- Re-signed: WR/KR Dante Pettis
Tennessee Titans
- Re-signed: S Mike Brown
Washington Commanders
- Re-signed: RB Jeremy McNichols
Anger is a 13-year veteran who has spent the last four years in Dallas, which included Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in 2021 and 2023. He will stay with the Cowboys on a two-year deal, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.
Tonyan had a few strong seasons in Green Bay earlier in his career, but he has struggled to produce over the last two years. He spent 2024 in Minnesota, but only played 15 snaps on offense with zero targets. He will add tight end depth in Kansas City.
Stoops received a two-game suspension for violating the NFL’s Performance-Enhancing Substances Policy, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. He will be eligible to participate in training camp and preseason games, but will be sidelined for the first two games of the regular season.
McNichols is staying in Washington on a one-year deal, according to Pelissero. The seven-year veteran appeared in 17 games for the Commanders in 2024 and rushed for 261 yards and four touchdowns on 55 attempts. McNichols will likely continue as Washington’s RB3 behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler.
Bills RBs Nyheim Hines, Latavius Murray Battling For Roster Spot?
The Bills rushing attack will look a bit different in 2023. Devin Singletary is gone, having left via free agency to the Texans. The front office added former Patriots starter Damien Harris to the mix, although he profiles as more of an RB2 since the organization is ready to go all-in on 2022 second-round pick James Cook.
Cook and Harris appear to be locked in atop the depth chart, leading to an apparent competition between Nyheim Hines and Latavius Murray for the RB3 spot. As Ryan O’Halloran of the Buffalo News noted today, the two veterans may actually be fighting for a roster spot, not just a spot on the depth chart. The Bills intend to give a roster spot to fullback Reggie Gilliam, perhaps leaving only one space for Hines or Murray
Hines would be the more natural fit if the organization is looking for a fill-in for Singletary. The former Bills RB averaged 39 receptions per season over his final three seasons in Buffalo. Harris had 40 total receptions during his four seasons in New England, and the former third-round pick seems primed to be a true backup. Cook provides some pass-catching prowess (21 catches as a rookie), but it seems unlikely that the second-year pro will be a true three-down back.
Hines could provide Josh Allen with another worthy target out of the backfield on third downs. The former Colts fourth-round pick averaged more than 56 catches per season though his first three years in the NFL, and while he saw a reduced role in 2021 and 2022, he still hauled in 70 total catches between the two campaigns.
While Hines has shown an ability to catch the ball, his roster spot could ultimately come down to special teams. The 26-year-old served as the Bills’ primary returner after joining the organization last season, returning a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns. As O’Halloran notes, new wideout Deonte Harty previously was an All-Pro punt returner, and his spot on the roster could make Hines expendable.
Murray would be the odd man out if Hines ultimately makes the team, but the veteran has a good case for making the roster. The 33-year-old would naturally bring some experience to a relatively young running back corps, and he’s also shown to be a worthy replacement starter in a pinch (he’s started at least three games in each of his nine NFL seasons). While Hines is the superior pass-catcher, Murray can also contribute in the passing game, with the veteran hauling in 35 catches just last season.
As O’Halloran writes, Murray is still a valuable player, with the RB most recently collecting close to 900 yards from scrimmage in 13 games with the Broncos and Saints in 2022. If Murray does end up missing the cut in Buffalo, O’Halloran believes the Bills front office should be able to get something for him via trade.
Hines and Murray will likely get an extended look during the preseason, but it seems likely that one of the two will be looking for a new job by the end of the preseason.
Bills, FB Reggie Gilliam Agree To Extension
The Bills have signed FB Reggie Gilliam to a two-year extension worth up to $5.2MM, as Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network was first to report (via Twitter). The team subsequently announced the move.
A 2020 UDFA, Gilliam has seen most of his action on special teams, appearing in 504 third-unit snaps in his first two years in the league (as opposed to just 236 offensive snaps). However, he received high marks for his blocking prowess in his limited time on the offensive side of the ball, with Pro Football Focus assigning him a strong 76.3 grade for run-blocking and a stellar 84.7 pass-blocking grade in 2021.
Although he has lined up in the backfield and as a tight end, Gilliam hasn’t gotten many touches. In his career, he has five catches for 39 yards and a TD, to go along with three carries for three yards.
Still, the Bills clearly value his contributions. We do not yet know how much of the above-referenced $5.2MM payout is guaranteed, but as a former UDFA who plays a position that many NFL teams no longer utilize and who does not see nearly as much burn as better-compensated fullbacks like Kyle Juszczyk and Patrick Ricard, Gilliam appears to have done well for himself.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old was eligible for free agency at season’s end but is now under club control through 2024.
Bills Sign 8 Undrafted Rookies
After signing the majority of their draft class, the Bills announced the signing of eight undrafted rookies yesterday:
- Trey Adams, OT (Washington)
- Ike Brown, CB (FIU)
- Reggie Gilliam, FB (Toledo)
- Marquel Harrell, G (Auburn)
- Garrett Taylor, S (Penn State)
- Josh Thomas, S (Appalachian State)
- Brandon Walton, OT (FAU)
- Antonio Williams, RB (North Carolina)
The two undrafted safeties bring plenty of accolades. Thomas had 72 tackles as an All-Sun Belt selection for Appalachian State last year, while Taylor was an All-Big Ten honorable mention at Penn State.
During his first few years at Washington, Adams was projected to be an eventual Day 2 pick. However, the lineman was limited to only 10 games between the 2017 and 2018 seasons, although he was able to return for 12 games in 2019.
Gilliam has been touted for his blocking and special teams ability, a pair of attributes that you’d generally want from your fullback. The rookie will be competing with Patrick DiMarco, who agreed to a pay cut earlier this offseason.