The New England Patriots are absolutely fixated on keeping that Super Bowl momentum rolling right into the 2027 NFL season, but a huge problem at tight end has Coach Mike Vrabel in a tough spot. He just watched Hunter Henry and Julian Hill struggle, leaving a gaping hole in their rotation. Enter Mack Hollins, the eight-year veteran wide receiver who is boldly stepping up and saying he’ll fix their tight end woes.
The Patriots’ Tight End Nightmare: Injuries and Woes
Look, the Patriots need this fixed, and fast. Hunter Henry is the starter at tight end, sure, but the depth behind him? It’s a disaster right now. Julian Hill, one of their backups, just went down with a season-ending knee injury during voluntary offseason practice. Seriously, a season-ender before the season even properly starts? Ouch. And to make matters worse, CJ Dippre is also listed on their depth chart as injured. They’ve got Eli Raridon, a recent draft pick, but it’s way too early to expect him to step in on off-nights for Henry. This is where Hollins, a guy who has exclusively played wide receiver his entire career with teams like the Eagles, Dolphins, Raiders, Falcons, Bills, and now the Patriots, says he’s ready to pivot.
Mack Hollins: “I’m Just a Ballplayer”
Hollins isn’t just hinting at a switch, he’s full-on campaigning for it. He flat-out told Karen Guregian of MassLive that he’s willing to play tight end if it means winning games. He said, “I’m just a ballplayer. I just want to win games. If you put me in the backfield, I’ll run the ball if that’s what it’s going to be. I think people say I’m like a hybrid tight end because I put my hands on D-Ends and they don’t move as well. I got muscles, and I can block. It doesn’t matter. If it helps us win the game, that’s all I care about.” Can you believe that? That’s the kind of attitude every coach dreams of! He’s got muscles and can block D-Ends, which is exactly what Vrabel needs for that position. Plus, their wide receiver room is stacked with talent like AJ Brown, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, and Nick DeGennaro catching passes from Drake Maye. So, shifting Hollins over isn’t just about filling a hole, it makes strategic sense for the whole offense.
This isn’t some minor tweak, though. If Coach Vrabel actually pulls the trigger, the Patriots are gonna have to rework Hollins’ conditioning and upskilling plans during the remaining months of the offseason. But if Hollins is truly willing to put in the work, and Vrabel desperately needs a blocker, this move could be huge for keeping their Super Bowl dreams alive for 2027. It’s a bold gamble, but sometimes, those are the ones that pay off big.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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