On Monday, news broke that the Patriots had signed former Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins to a two-year deal worth $8.4 million.
On Friday at Gillette Stadium, he met with the media for the first time as a member of his new football team in New England.
And in a surprise to no one in the audience, he arrived at the podium wearing no shoes.
“It started about six or seven years ago,” Hollins said when asked about his now-famous barefoot look. “Obviously it started when I was a little kid, but restarted six or seven years ago. Met some trainers called Melbourne Muscular Therapy down in Australia. They showed up - flew them out from Australia to Philly. They showed up, and the way y’all looking at me is how I was looking at them.
“They were walking around Philly barefoot, and I was like, ‘I might of sent the wrong guys out here.’ But that was their philosophy, is being barefoot and kind of getting back to your original ways of movement. That grew into me training barefoot all the time for about two years, three years. And then probably the last two or three years, I kind of went the, ‘What’s the point?’ One less thing to pack, now the bag’s under 50 pounds. Like, I’m saving money, comes all together.”
Hollins went on to specify that if the temperature dips below 35 degrees, he’ll throw on shoes.
“I’m barefoot, but I’m not a dummy,” said Hollins. “That’s a saying I like to live by.”
Throughout his seven-year career, Hollins has become known around the NFL for his unique personality and quirks, including the aforementioned walking around barefoot as much as possible, eating without utensils, and avoiding house cats at all costs. Hollins also sports a robust online presence, creating educational videos and wearing over-the-top costumes on gamedays as bait for viral posts.
But on the field, Hollins strikes a much different chord.
“You mentioned guys like to be pushed in different ways - are you somebody who is willing to do the pushing?” NBC Sports Boston’s Phill Perry asked Hollins. “Have you done that in the past? Do you relish that kind of role?”
“Yeah - probably sometimes to a fault,” said Hollins. “I am a big believer in breaking-and-building-back-better. But that’s how I was raised. So I will push guys to their limits, for sure. But I’ve learned over the years how to not push it too far. I think when I was younger I would push guys too far. I would relish breaking people. And I’ve kind of learned over the years that’s not always the best.
“Now, there are some guys who need that. That, like - when we’re working out or we’re practicing, I need to be in their head the entire time, and they’ll have the best practice ever. And there’s some guys who will shut down from that. But those are things that I’ve learned. But yeah, pushing guys is something that I enjoy, because I know - not only will it make them better, but it will make me better because now if I ever stumble, they’re like, ‘Oh, you talking all that and now here you go.’ So it’s kind of a two-way street.”
In addition to being an irritant with his peers, Hollins is someone who is routinely seen mixing it up with defenders almost every Sunday, and has been doing so for years as a member of all five teams he has suited up for. Even with only two seasons with over 18 catches to his name, Hollins has established himself as a true “culture guy” around the league.
When asked why he thinks he had the best season of his career while playing in then-Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels’ system in 2022 (career-highs in catches and receiving yards), that “culture guy” mentality was on full display.
“Because the expectation is that you’re capable of doing whatever’s asked of you,” Hollins responded. “Whatever that is playing inside, outside, if he wants me to block, if he wants me to run, if he wants me to catch, if he wants me to pass. Whatever it is, that’s the expectation of every guy. I think I do well in that because I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win. Whether that’s playing quarterback, O-line, D-line, or sitting on the bench and cheering my teammates on, whatever it takes. I just want to win.”
When asked if he was open to having a key role on special teams in 2025, Hollins doubled down.
“I’m hoping to be whatever coach wants me to be, honestly,” said Hollins. “If he wants me to be in y’all chair, start asking questions, I’ll do that. If that means we’re gonna win games, then Mack Hollins will do it.”
As of publishing this story, Hollins is the most senior member of the Patriots’ wide receivers room, and is in real contention for a top-three slot on the depth chart at his position.
If the Patriots are unable to make another move for a veteran wideout (or two) this offseason, Hollins’ impact on the young receivers on this roster will become of even greater importance as the 2025 season gets closer.
A hard-nosed mentality and a shared alma mater with Drake Maye will not be enough to elevate this Patriots’ offense to a competitive level in the 22-year-old QB’s sophomore season. More work needs to be done by this front office to support their face of the franchise.
But in signing Hollins, they’ve taken a step towards revamping the culture of a position group that’s been in need of a facelift for almost half a decade.
Stay locked in to WEEI and WEEI.com for all the latest on the Patriots’ offseason.