Mike Vrabel singled out a Patriots veteran receiver in an unexpected way

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Mike Vrabel singled out a Patriots veteran receiver in an unexpected way

Mark Daniels · MassLive

Wed, Dec 10, 2025 ·

3 min read

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FOXBOROUGH – While preparing for the Patriots ’ second matchup with the Buffalo Bills , Mike Vrabel pulled up game film from his team’s win over the division rival earlier this season.

During this team meeting, the video clip that Vrabel showed wasn’t a Drake Maye highlight or an outstanding defensive effort. Instead, it showed Mack Hollins celebrating on the sideline after a big play on special teams.

In his first season at the helm of the Patriots , Vrabel preached several coaching points that have helped change the culture in New England . One of those is celebrating for your teammates. Brought in as a free agent this offseason, Hollins has helped Vrabel on and off the field this season.

“Mack brings a great spirit to work every day,” Vrabel said. “Great teammate. Actually, showed a clip from the first game on a kickoff coverage. Mack’s over there, excited, not going into the game, but he’s into it. Somebody made a tackle, and Mack’s the first person cheering on the sidelines. Those are the little things that mean a lot to me.”

The highlight from Buffalo is a good example of why Hollins has played nine years in the NFL.

A fourth-round pick in 2017, Hollins has played in Philadelphia (2017-2019), Miami (2019-2021), Las Vegas (2022), Atlanta (2023), and most recently, Buffalo (2024). This offseason, the receiver signed a two-year, $8.4 million contract with the Patriots.

He said his key to playing for almost a decade in the NFL is that he considers no role too small.

“I think a mix of the work that I put in and then just a willingness to do whatever,” Hollins said. “It’s easy to get comfortable or bored or like, prideful when it comes to doing things that you don’t want to do. But if it helps the team win, I’ll do it.”

This season, Hollins has been one of the Patriots’ top receivers, run blockers, and contributes on special teams. He heads into this matchup with the Bills third on the Patriots in receptions (35) and fourth in receiving yards (440).

In New England, the 32-year-old is having one of his best years. His receptions and receiving yards are the second most in his NFL career, behind 2022, when he caught 57 passes for 690 yards for the Raiders . The common denominator here is that Hollins’ best two seasons came in Josh McDaniels’ offensive system.

“Looking at numbers, that’s probably got to do something with it,” Hollins said. “I think we just work well together. We have similar mindsets and enjoy the game. And I think that it just works well in this, in this. In this offense.”

Hollins said it felt good when Vrabel singled him out during the Patriots team meeting this week. He entered the NFL as a core special team player and understands the importance of that part of the game. The veteran also knows why it’s important to be there for your teammates, even if you’re not in the game.

“I think it’s cool. It shows that stuff matters,” Hollins said. “Vrabes has always said that stuff matters, celebrate with your teammates. What we do isn’t easy. It can seem routine or mundane because you got in the end zone, you scored, whatever, or you made a big hit on special teams. Shoot. You gotta celebrate it.”

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