The Buffalo Bills agreed to terms with wide receiver Josh Palmer to open NFL free agency Monday.
The other shoe dropped a few hours later.
Wide receiver Mack Hollins, who led Buffalo a year ago with five touchdown receptions, will sign a two-year $8.4 million contract with the New England Patriots, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. The deal has a maximum value of $10.4 million.
Hollins, 31, had 31 catches for 378 receiving yards and five touchdowns in his lone season in Buffalo. He led Bills wide receivers by playing 721 offensive snaps, 66.27%.
Hollins, who walks barefoot when he’s not playing, including into the stadium on game days no matter the weather, has a line of “Free The Feet” clothing. He was free to sign anywhere and jumped feet first.
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Hollins can nearly match his career earnings with the Patriots contract. Hollins has made $11.7 million over his eight-year career.
Hollins had one foot out the door after Buffalo brought in Palmer for three years up to $36 million. Palmer has spent his four-year career with the Los Angeles Chargers, totaling 182 receptions for 2,287 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He’ll reunite with New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Hollins had a career season with 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022 with McDaniels as the head coach.
The Patriots began free agency with $120 million in salary cap space and have agreed to terms with eight players. In addition to Hollins, New England is reportedly signing linebacker Harold Landry III (three years, $43.5 million), linebacker Robert Spillane (three years, $37 million), cornerback Carlton Davis III (three years, $60 million), offensive tackle Morgan Moses (three years $24 million), defensive tackle Milton Williams (four years, $104 million), quarterback Joshua Dobbs (two years, $8 million), and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga (one year, $2.7 million).
Ryan Miller can be reached at [email protected].