Bills lose fan favorite and touchdown receptions leader to division rival in free agency

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].

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