New England Patriots WR Mack Hollins made his team debut on Thursday during training camp after he was signed as a free agent in the offseason.
Hollins returned to the field for the first time this offseason after missing all of the spring and started the summer on the PUP list with an undisclosed injury.
It’s worth noting that Thursday’s session was more of a walkthrough, but Hollins was included with the first team despite it being his first time on the field for New England.
The first team receiver package included Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas, with Hollins. By having Hollins back on the field, it inevitably slid Kayshon Boutte out of a role that he’s showcased well in so far this offseason.
Hollins is the tallest receiver on the roster and has a physical structure that nobody else in the position has at 6-foot-4 and 221 lbs, making him a legit red zone threat for second-year quarterback Drake Maye.
It’s also worth mentioning that he has experience in a Josh McDaniels offense when he played for him in Las Vegas in 2022, finishing the season second on the team with 57 receptions, 690 yards, and four touchdowns in the air.
In that 2022 season under McDaniels, Hollins saw the highest snap count of his career at 1030 snaps, good for 94 percent of offensive snaps. He played 62 plays on special teams (14%) and was named a team captain that season.
Hollins was added to the Patriots for more than what he brings to the table on the field, but for the type of person he is and what he can provide the team off the field. He’s a professional and a leader in the position room.
During a press conference after training camp this past week, undrafted rookie free agent wide receiver Efton Chism III shared that he studies film and the playbook with Hollins most nights when they’re away from the facility.
It all started when Chism gave Hollins a ride home and asked if he could study with him.
Efton Chism and Mack Hollins study film together every night.
— Ian Steele (@RealianSteele6) July 31, 2025
It started after the veteran asked a rookie for a ride home.
"We both kind of stayed late. He asked for a ride home... From there on it's kind of like, 'yup.' Every time we get home."@ABC6 #NEPats #PatsCamp pic.twitter.com/SOWInkN3Nf
The Patriots signed Hollins to a two-year contract worth $8,400,000 with $3,500,000 guaranteed and additional incentives for reception totals of 30, 40, or 50 this season.
Hollins was always going to have a role in New England this season. He’s a veteran receiver with positional versatility who can play special teams. I was starting to think he would start the season on the PUP list, but he’s cleared and ready to go for Week 1.
I expect the Patriots to carry more wide receivers than usual this season with McDaniels being the offensive coordinator. Hollins will help lead this up-and-coming group as he begins his eighth season in the NFL.