Patriots squeezed Mack Hollins to make his 2026 incentives harder to earn

The New England Patriots have made it more difficult for wide receiver Mack Hollins to earn his 2026 incentive payments. By converting some of the potential payments into unlikely-to-be-earned incentives, the team has shifted money from the 2026 salary cap to the 2027 cap. Previously, Hollins was set to receive $300,000 for catching 30 passes, another $300,000 for catching 40, and another $400,000 for catching 50. Now, the magic numbers have been raised to 47, 50, and 55 receptions, respectively.

Last season, Hollins caught 46 passes, earning him $600,000 in extra pay and making $600,000 of the incentive package likely to be earned in 2026. This would count against the 2026 cap. The revised deal was finalized on September 1. With no compensation for the adjustment, the Patriots likely used the threat of releasing Hollins before Week 1 to persuade him to agree to the terms. Hollins also has $750,000 in per-game active roster bonuses.

Reports suggest that at least one contending team showed interest in trading for Hollins, but the Patriots declined. Hollins could have forced the issue and signed with another team, but the timing might have worked against him. With the A.J. Brown injury, Hollins will have more opportunities to reach 47, 50, and/or 55 receptions this season. In Week 1, he caught four passes, which projects to 68 for the season and would earn him the full $1 million, counting against the 2027 cap.