The New England Patriots are looking to retool this roster after falling to the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl. The biggest area of focus is on the offensive side of the ball, especially at receiver. They decided to release Stefon Diggs, which has the Patriots looking smarter by the day.
They've been linked to Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown, but as of now, those are just rumors. But it's clear that they want to get better in the receiver room, and Mack Hollins could be the next departure.
Mack Hollins Could Be Next WR out the Door for Patriots
Last offseason, New England gave Hollins a two-year, $8.4 million deal, as Mike Vrabel brought in players who would help shape his culture. Hollins fit that role for the Patriots and was able to make plays. In 15 games (13 starts), he had 46 catches (65 targets) for 550 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Standing at 6'4", Hollins gave New England a big-bodied weapon, but there's reason to believe that New England could look to move on from Hollins, even if it isn't until next year. He's currently their oldest receiver and doesn't provide much explosive ability.
He's on the books for just $5.5 million in 2026, but you could see the Patriots letting him walk in free agency. Especially since younger receivers like Kayshon Boutte and DeMario Douglas will also be hitting free agency in 2027.
Hollins wasn't a big-time weapon in his eight-year career, never finishing with more than 690 yards in a season. Last season showed the Patriots that Drake Maye can be one of the best signal-callers in the league. And now it's about finding more weapons for him.
The 2025 campaign displayed that the Patriots need more receivers who put fear into opposing defenses' hearts. Hollins wasn't able to do that, and the odds continue to rise that New England will let him walk after next season.
The fact that wide receiver remains high on the list of needs for New England tells you everything you need to know about the current state of the Patriots at that position. The other guys in that room have age on their side, but Hollins doesn't.
Keeping a receiver around beyond 2026 who is past his prime isn't a wise choice for team-building purposes. And it makes it appear more likely that Hollins may be on his way out of town sooner rather than later.