FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots made adjustments to wide receiver Mack Hollins’s contract incentives ahead of the 2026 NFL season, altering the reception thresholds that trigger bonus payments. Previously, Hollins was set to earn $300,000 upon reaching 30 receptions, another $300,000 at 40 catches, and $400,000 if he hit 50. The team has now raised these targets to 47, 50, and 55 receptions for the same earning amounts.
This modification allows the Patriots to free up $600,000 in salary cap space for the current year, as incentives deemed “not likely to be earned” are applied to the following year’s cap instead of the present one. Hollins, 33, acknowledged the change as part of the business’s realities. “Nobody wants to change anything, but that’s sometimes what happens,” he said. “It makes you want to come out and work, but not any harder than I already work.”
Following the Week 1 high ankle sprain to star receiver A.J. Brown, Hollins is expected to see increased targets, enhancing his prospects of meeting the revised bonuses. In the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks—a 13-10 loss—Hollins was quarterback Drake Maye’s primary target after Brown’s injury, recording four receptions for 51 yards. Known for his physicality and blocking skills, Hollins played 70.4 percent of offensive snaps in that game, the highest among New England’s receivers.
The Patriots also anticipate expanded roles for other wideouts, including Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism. Hollins expressed confidence that his extensive experience and work ethic will enable him to capitalize on these opportunities. He emphasized the value of consistent effort over time, dismissing the popular notion of “working smarter” as detrimental to athlete development.
Last season, Hollins narrowly missed the 50-catch bonus, finishing with 46 receptions over 15 games. Despite this, the Patriots paid the $400,000 bonus.
In related team news, former Patriots cornerback Stephon Gilmore returned to Gillette Stadium on Friday to sign a one-day contract and officially retire as a member of the franchise. Eliot Wolf, the club’s executive vice president of player personnel, praised Gilmore as one of the franchise’s greatest defensive players, highlighting his consistency and leadership during his tenure.
Gilmore joined New England in 2017 on a five-year, $65 million deal and quickly established himself as a premier shutdown corner. He earned first-team All-Pro honors twice, was selected to three Pro Bowls, and led the NFL in interceptions and pass breakups in 2019, a season that earned him Defensive Player of the Year—the first cornerback to do so since 2009. Key moments included a critical pass breakup in the 2017 AFC Championship and an interception in Super Bowl LIII.
After stints with Carolina, Indianapolis, Dallas, and Minnesota, Gilmore chose to retire as a Patriot, citing that he had reached his professional peak with the team. He will attend the Patriots’ upcoming game.
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will miss Sunday’s game due to a foot injury. Pittman played 88.1 percent of snaps in Week 1, catching three passes for 58 yards. The Steelers will rely on receivers DK Metcalf, Ben Skowronek, Roman Wilson, and rookie Germie Bernard in his absence.
The Patriots will also be without cornerback Carlton Davis, who missed practice Thursday and Friday and was ruled out on Saturday. The team activated punter Mitch Wishnowsky from the practice squad for the game, with Bryce Baringer remaining on injured reserve.