Winslow Townson-Imagn Images

Patriots Make $400,000 Decision After Super Bowl Loss

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Debayan Biswas | Last updated Feb 20, 2026 11:00 AM ET

Mack Hollins finished the regular season with 46 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns for the New England Patriots. He added six receptions for 129 yards and a score in two playoff appearances after ranking third on the team in catches and fourth in receiving yards during the regular season. It was the second-most productive campaign of his eight-year NFL career.

But Hollins missed the final two regular-season games with an abdominal injury. That absence left him four catches short of a $400,000 contract incentive. New England went on to reach the Super Bowl before falling 29-13 to the Seattle Seahawks, ending a postseason run that had included a wild-card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, a divisional-round victory against the Houston Texans and a snowy AFC Championship Game triumph over the Denver Broncos.

According to NFL reporter Ari Meirov, "The #Patriots have decided to give it to him anyway in the form of a $400,000 signing bonus for the 2027 season. Classy gesture." This notes that the team chose to honor the incentive despite Hollins falling just short due to injury. He also missed the Patriots' first two playoff games with the injury.

#Patriots WR Mack Hollins, who missed the final 2 regular-season games with an injury, finished 4 catches short of a $400,000 incentive last season.

The #Patriots have decided to give it to him anyway in the form of a $400,000 signing bonus for the 2027 season. Classy gesture. pic.twitter.com/vp5KSshTuf
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) February 20, 2026

Hollins is set to earn a $4.3 million base salary next season, with another $1 million available through incentives. He is entering the final year of his two-year, $8.4 million contract.

The gesture underscores the Patriots' view of Hollins’ impact. Signed to provide size and reliability in the receiving corps, the wideout became one of Drake Maye’s most consistent targets. His ability to block in the run game and contribute in pass protection added value beyond his reception totals.

Hollins’ postseason contributions were also notable. He returned from injury for the AFC Championship Game against the Broncos and was a full participant in the Super Bowl loss, catching four passes for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Off the field, Hollins’ leadership and work ethic earned praise within the locker room. His personality and presence helped stabilize a young offense navigating a deep playoff run.

The Patriots’ decision could be seen as both a reward and a message. In a league driven by incentives and fine margins, honoring performance even when injury intervenes reinforces organizational culture.

As New England looks ahead to the next season, keeping Hollins’ contributions and leadership intact might be just as crucial as any free-agent signing. The $400,000 decision reflects a franchise eager to build on its recent Super Bowl appearance while maintaining its core group.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: