Westover’s path to Patriots relevance was unlikely and rapid. He entered the league as an undrafted rookie with the Seattle Seahawks, originally listed as a tight end, before joining New England’s practice squad in 2024. The Patriots converted him to fullback in 2025, and he appeared in all 17 regular-season games with two starts, adding all four postseason contests and two more starts.
In Super Bowl LX, Westover logged five offensive snaps and 22 special teams snaps. His value in New England hasn’t been measured by yardage, but by availability, blocking efficiency, and special-teams impact—areas where he contributed consistently across a 21-game season that helped the team reach the big game.
The re-signing doesn’t close the position battle; it preserves an in-house candidate while introducing a clear challenger. Reggie Gilliam joined the Patriots this offseason on a three-year, $10.8 million deal, bringing extensive experience as a run-blocking fullback in a McDaniels-style system and six years with the Bills, where he built a reputation as a dependable blocker in this scheme.
Gilliam’s background matters because it gives him an immediate edge in the Patriots’ run-heavy approach, but Westover remains the incumbent who earned the trust of a coaching staff that reached the Super Bowl. At 26 years old, Westover arrives as a player who must outperform Gilliam in OTAs and training camp to secure a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2026 season.
Ultimately, New England faces a likely, extended competition at fullback, with Westover and Gilliam each bringing complementary strengths. The winner will be decided deep into training camp, as the Patriots balance depth, scheme fit, and special-teams value ahead of a pivotal season.
