The New England Patriots have seen one of the biggest one-year improvements in NFL history, from picking fourth overall in the draft to climbing to a 12-3 record while chasing the No. 1 seed in the AFC.
But there’s one player that’s been key to that success that seems to have flown under the radar, Mack Hollins.
Return of the Mack
During the wave of free agent moves the Patriots made this offseason, Hollins’ name didn’t seem to stand out besides having played for the Buffalo Bills the previous season and being known as the guy who doesn’t wear shoes.
But football fans don’t care what you do or don’t wear on your feet as long as you can play, and Hollins has certainly played well this year.
The receiver signed a two-year $8.4 million contract back in March. Based on value, his has aged to be one of the better contracts to come out of the 2025 free agency class.
Hollins is on pace to have a career year and has seemed to earn the trust of Drake Maye. The two former Tar Heels have had a consistent connection all season.
Maye has consistently targeted Hollins in the short passing game and out in the middle of the field with jump balls that only a receiver with a 6-foot-4 frame could haul in.
With two more games left in the season, Hollins has caught 46 balls for 550 yards and two touchdowns. He’s just 140 receiving yards shy of his career high.
Hollins the Fellow Leader
Along with fellow wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Hollins has emerged as one of the leaders of the locker room. The veteran is helping to establish Head Coach Mike Vrabel’s culture that has led to the return of winning ways in Foxborough.
“You go into games like this, and you’re tired,” Diggs said during Sunday Night Football’s postgame show. [But] you got leaders like Mack Hollins… there’s a lot of carryover, that stuff matters to me. I feel like being a leader is just part of being me, and [the Patriots] let me be me.”
As New England looks to bring back its old ways this season, only time will tell if Hollins’ contributions on and off the field can bring the Patriots success in January, and maybe even February football.
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