PATRIOTS NEWS Pats go good on missed incentive for Mack Hollins

[maust]

Due to injury Hollins missed 2 regular season games and came up 4 catches short of a $400K incentive for 50 catches. The team increased his signing bonus by $400K to cover it. That's how a front office wins hearts and minds, not to mention FA's notice things like that

Patriots add $400,000 signing bonus to honor Mack Hollins' receptions incentive

Patriots receiver Mack Hollins was having a solid 2025 season when he suffered a lacerated spleen in December, causing him to miss the last two regular-season games.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[Wozzy]

This has been typical of this organization for decades. They usually went beyond for players who showed loyalty and dedication to the program. It’s how you build culture.

This isn’t new or unique. BB made a similar move for Donte' Stallworth by carrying him on the active roster even after a career ending injury so Donte’ would qualify for some pension incentives based on games played.

Smart teams do this, it’s not about getting one player to respect you. It’s about earning and keeping the respect of the entire locker room.

 

[Borg140]

Very cool. Hollins earned it.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Makes sense, seems like a nice gesture. I do wonder if this can ever have a reverse effect though where maybe the next guy who comes close and they DON'T do this, does he get pissed? Just kind of an interesting dynamic. You don't want to have it look like you're playing favorites.

I'm sure they know how to manage it though.

 

[Pape]

Due to injury Hollins missed 2 regular season games and came up 4 catches short of a $400K incentive for 50 catches. The team increased his signing bonus by $400K to cover it. That's how a front office wins hearts and minds, not to mention FA's notice things like that

Patriots add $400,000 signing bonus to honor Mack Hollins' receptions incentive

Patriots receiver Mack Hollins was having a solid 2025 season when he suffered a lacerated spleen in December, causing him to miss the last two regular-season games.

www.nbcsports.com

That type of move lands on the side of the board that reads : Thats Awesome.

I'm glad they did this. Take care of your guys, they will work hard / play hard when they hit the field.

 

[Tunescribe]

Due to injury Hollins missed 2 regular season games and came up 4 catches short of a $400K incentive for 50 catches. The team increased his signing bonus by $400K to cover it. That's how a front office wins hearts and minds, not to mention FA's notice things like that

Patriots add $400,000 signing bonus to honor Mack Hollins' receptions incentive

Patriots receiver Mack Hollins was having a solid 2025 season when he suffered a lacerated spleen in December, causing him to miss the last two regular-season games.

www.nbcsports.com

To me, the bigger headline is he came back to play after sustaining a lacerated spleen -- a potentially life-threatening injury. Amazing.

 

[Steve102]

Due to injury Hollins missed 2 regular season games and came up 4 catches short of a $400K incentive for 50 catches. The team increased his signing bonus by $400K to cover it. That's how a front office wins hearts and minds, not to mention FA's notice things like that

Patriots add $400,000 signing bonus to honor Mack Hollins' receptions incentive

Patriots receiver Mack Hollins was having a solid 2025 season when he suffered a lacerated spleen in December, causing him to miss the last two regular-season games.

www.nbcsports.com

Wait... I thought this organization was cheap?

 

[Ring 6]

Wait... I thought this organization was cheap?

It comes off the cap so it’s not an extra expense.

 

[Steve102]

It comes off the cap so it’s not an extra expense.

So... you're telling me even though they are paying him, they aren't paying him? It's like monopoly money? Star Wars credits? Like Game of Thrones gold dragons? Pretend?

 

[DarrylS]

Is it time to put the age old mantra that Kraft is cheap to bed???
Nice move by the Patriots...

 

[Miguel]

It comes off the cap so it’s not an extra expense.

This move increased Mack Hollins' cap number and his 2026 compensation by $400K meeting the very definition of an extra expense.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Very cool. Hollins earned it.

Hollins was a nice surprise this year and I think we saw that Drake loves throwing the ball to him.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I was looking forward to the arguments over this.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I was looking forward to the arguments over this.

There is nothing to really argue about. If they overpaid him and he underperformed then that is worthy of a debate.

 

[n1997y]

This move increased Mack Hollins' cap number and his 2026 compensation by $400K meeting the very definition of an extra expense.

Was the 50 catch bonus LTBE? If so wasn’t it already factored into the cap? So this would really not increase his cap, it would avoid decreasing his cap number, right?

But if the $400k was included in the cap as LTBE bonus that went unearned, and then paid as ncreased signing bonus, would the actual payout be amortized? Or is it moot because he only has one year left?

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I like Hollins. Unexpected glue guy and Drake specifically likes big WR’s.

 

[maust]

Was the 50 catch bonus LTBE? If so wasn’t it already factored into the cap? So this would really not increase his cap, it would avoid decreasing his cap number, right?

But if the $400k was included in the cap as LTBE bonus that went unearned, and then paid as ncreased signing bonus, would the actual payout be amortized? Or is it moot because he only has one year left?

It was originally classified as LTBE and so it hit the cap but was escrowed. The escrow amount will be credited back to the cap as such for the coming year but go right back out as a signing bonus. By calling it a signing bonus it will be a wash as far as the cap hit goes but Hollins will now get the $400K where before he did not.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

To me, the bigger headline is he came back to play after sustaining a lacerated spleen -- a potentially life-threatening injury. Amazing.

quite a feat

 

[Steve102]

quite a feat

Had nothing to do with his feet... it was his spleen.

 

[Miguel]

Was the 50 catch bonus LTBE? If so wasn’t it already factored into the cap? So this would really not increase his cap, it would avoid decreasing his cap number, right?

But if the $400k was included in the cap as LTBE bonus that went unearned, and then paid as ncreased signing bonus, would the actual payout be amortized? Or is it moot because he only has one year left?

Mack Hollins had 31 catches in 2024 so his
30 receptions was categorized as LTBE for 2025
40 receptions was NLTBE for 2025. Will be categorized as LTBE for 2026.
50 receptions was categorized NLTBE for 2025.

Since Mack Hollins has only one year left on his deal the $400K signing bonus hit the 2026 cap entirely.