Mike Gillislee went into last season as the New England Patriots’ No. 1 running back after signing a two-year, $6.4 million contract in free agency which also cost the team a fifth-round pick. However, Gillislee may very well be fighting for his job this offseason, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

Reiss notes just how crowded the Patriots’ running back depth chart currently is. He considers first-round pick Sony Michel, as well as veterans Rex Burkhead and James White as locks to make the team. That leaves Gillislee, free-agent signing Jeremy Hill, Brandon Bolden and undrafted free agent Ralph Webb battling for the final 1-2 spots.

After a breakout year with Buffalo in 2016, Gillislee did not make much of an impact in his first year in Foxborough. He finished with just 383 rushing yards on 104 carries with five touchdowns in nine games as he was eventually supplanted by Dion Lewis midway through the season. He played in just one game past Week 8 and was a healthy scratch during the team’s entire run toward the Super Bowl.

Article Continues Below
More Patriots News
New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) and New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrate a touchdown in the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens
Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski recreate Lombardi Trophy boat moment with a twistGuillermo Guajardo ·
New England Patriots wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (16) warms up before the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium.
Raiders’ Jakobi Meyers earns prestigious tag that’ll leave Patriots fans screamingJaren Kawada ·
New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs (8) walks to the podium to speak to the media after minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium.
Josh Allen sends Patriots’ Drake Maye an inspiring Stefon Diggs messageBenedetto Vitale ·
New England Patriots wide receiver Kyle Williams (18) makes a catch during minicamp at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots’ Kyle Williams shows rookie swagger, ready to prove himselfJosh Davis ·
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel talks with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) before the preseason game at Nissan Stadium.
Tom Brady’s endorsement of Mike Vrabel will inspire confidenceScotty White ·
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel speaks to defensive end Keion White (99) and linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (44) after minicamp held in the WIN Field House at Gillette Stadium.
Patriots’ stud signing bringing ‘physicality’ to Mike VrabelLorenzo J Reyna ·

The Patriots won’t incur any dead money on their cap if they release Gillislee, which is also a significant factor why he’s an ideal candidate to get cut.

At his best, Gillislee is the type of physical, goal-line back that could still provide a different dimension to the Patriots' running game. But if he can't recreate the type of form that convinced the team to take a chance on him last offseason, the Pats likely won't hesitate to move on from him in favor of a cheaper option.