The Bills have declined to match Mike Gillislee‘s offer sheet, per a club announcement. He will now join the Patriots. Per the terms of his offer sheet, he’ll play for New England on a two-year, $6.4MM deal. The Bills will get the 163rd overall pick (fifth round) from the Patriots by letting him go. That was the better of the Patriots’ two fifth-round choices.
The Bills’ decision to place the original round tender on Gillislee was a surprise in the football world and they might be regretting that decision today. For another $1MM or so, the Bills could have placed the second-round tender on him and – in all likelihood – kept the Patriots and other teams far away. Gillislee averaged 5.7 yards per carry last season and made it clear that he can handle a larger role if given the opportunity. The Bills, for some reason, apparently did not see what the rest of the league saw in the 26-year-old. Now, they’re losing their top understudy and potential heir apparent for starting running back LeSean McCoy.
The Patriots now have a loaded depth chart at running back headlined by Gillislee and free agent pickup Rex Burkhead. Dion Lewis, James White, Brandon Bolden, and D.J. Foster are also under contract for the coming season. Today’s news likely spells the end of LeGarrette Blount‘s time in New England. Lewis and/or Bolden may also be on the chopping block. If the Patriots cut Lewis, they’ll only be on the hook for $200K in dead money.
In Buffalo, five running backs remain on the roster: McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Joe Banyard, Cedric O’Neal, and Mike Tolbert.
There has to be a twist to all the RB’s BB has stashed.
The Pats even crush the Bills off the field
They didn’t even have to cheat to do it!
Pat’s don’t cheat so, what’s your point?
Pats do cheat, so what’s your point?
I hate Pats fans who insist we didn’t cheat. Some of the things we do are straight up cheating. Some of the things we do are legally bending the rules. But you cannot insist we don’t cheat that’s ridiculous.
The way the Pats structured that offer based on the Bills 2017 cap situation was hilarious. NE has owned the Bills’ FO over the past few seasons.
What about J Williams on Buff’s roster ? I was expecting him to possibility be next man up .
Can see them taking a slipping rb second round. Get a good backup to ease the load off Shady. Cook or Mixon would be huge, but they have more needs before using a pick on a rb.
Lewis is an asset, he’s not going anywhere unless it’s for a 3rd rounder or higher.
I could see like a 4th this year and a conditional 5th next year based on games played.
and the beat goes on! Pat’s get better bills slip up!
I see the Pats breaking camp with Gillisly Burkhead White and Boldon(special teamer) on the roster and Lewis gets traded at some point during the draft for picks. The Pats need to focus on CB and LB this draft
Sixth Super Bowl right there