Patriots reportedly make move on vet WR who missed multiple practices
That means the veteran wideout is set to make his debut at training camp with the team.
Hollins signed with the Patriots as part of their free agent splash back in March. He's a big-bodied receiving target who can serve as a downfield threat and extra playmaker in the red zone. There's also his ability to excel in the grunt work as an extra blocker on the field.
During his final appearance with the Buffalo Bills, he racked up three receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Overall, Hollins proved to be a good contributor with 31 receptions for 378 yards and five touchdowns.
The Patriots are hopeful that he can serve as a solid veteran option further down the depth chart. His best season came under Josh McDaniels with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2022, when he hauled in 57 receptions for 690 yards and four touchdowns.
With McDaniels returning as the offensive coordinator, the duo will have an opportunity to find that same magic in New England.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Disney's ESPN to acquire NFL media assets as league takes 10% stake
Disney (DIS) said late Tuesday that ESPN has reached a preliminary agreement with the NFL to acquire media assets including NFL Network, NFL RedZone, and NFL Fantasy in exchange for a 10% equity stake. The new partnership is expected to expand the reach and visibility of NFL content through Disney's growing streaming footprint. ESPN plans to integrate NFL Network into its upcoming direct-to-consumer service while maintaining traditional distribution through cable and satellite providers. The companies did not disclose the value of the stake. "This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service," Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. Alongside the acquisition, ESPN and the NFL have also entered into a second non-binding agreement. Under the terms, the league will license certain NFL content and intellectual property to ESPN for use across the newly acquired NFL Media assets. That includes content for NFL Network, which will now be operated by ESPN and fully integrated into Disney's broader direct-to-consumer ecosystem. The company will also assume distribution rights for RedZone and merge NFL Fantasy with ESPN Fantasy Football to create a single, official NFL fantasy platform. As part of the deal, ESPN will license three additional NFL games per season to air on NFL Network. The network will also take over four games from ESPN's broader NFL schedule, maintaining its slate of seven games annually. Analysts see the debut as a key step toward more bundling opportunities with Disney+ and Hulu, as streamers across the industry work to retain subscribers and reduce churn. Ahead of the NFL confirmation, Morgan Stanley analyst Ben Swinburne wrote in a Monday note, 'With the NFL as an investor, ESPN's long-term future is incrementally more secure.' He added, "While the NFL cannot stop cord-cutting and will surely not give Disney a discount in future rights renewals, by investing in ESPN, the NFL will be even more motivated to help ESPN survive and potentially thrive in the new streaming-first world ahead." The push into streaming comes as Disney continues to adapt to the mass exodus of pay-TV subscribers. In June, the company laid off several hundred employees across its global operations in a bid to streamline costs, with cuts impacting areas such as TV marketing, publicity, and corporate finance. In a statement to Yahoo Finance, Disney said at the time that it had taken a "surgical" approach to minimize the number of impacted roles, adding that no entire teams were being eliminated. In its latest earnings release, Disney reported a 13% year-over-year drop in linear network revenue while direct-to-consumer revenue climbed 8%, underscoring the company's accelerated pivot to digital distribution. Since 2023, Disney has cut more than 8,000 jobs as part of a $7.5 billion cost-savings initiative. Allie Canal is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @allie_canal, LinkedIn, and email her at
Yahoo
10 minutes ago
- Yahoo
NFL takes 10% stake in Disney's ESPN, which will take over the NFL Network
The NFL has reached a deal to take a 10% ownership stake in the Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN, the league and Disney announced Tuesday evening, a move that is expected to solidify the sports media outlet's relationship with the league for years to come. In return for the equity stake valued at more than $2 billion based on recent valuations of the company, ESPN will take over the NFL's cable properties including the NFL Network and Red Zone, the popular channel that continuously updates fans on the slate of Sunday contests. The NFL Network also has the rights to seven regular season games. In addition to the sale of NFL Network, the NFL and ESPN are also entering into a second non-binding agreement, under which the NFL will license to ESPN certain NFL content and other intellectual property to be used by NFL Network and other assets. The deal is a big win for ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, who took over the Disney unit in 2018 with a mandate to improve the company's relationship with the NFL. The equity stake comes ahead of ESPN's move into the direct-to-consumer streaming business this fall, which gives consumers the opportunity to purchase the company's sports channels without a cable or satellite TV subscription. NFL Network will also be available on the streaming service. 'This is an exciting day for sports fans,' Pitaro said Tuesday in a statement. 'By combining these NFL media assets with ESPN's reach and innovation, we're creating a premier destination for football fans. Together, ESPN and the NFL are redefining how fans engage with the game — anytime, anywhere. This deal helps fuel ESPN's digital future, laying the foundation for an even more robust offering as we prepare to launch our new direct-to-consumer service.' The new product is aimed at recapturing sports fans who are forgoing cable and satellite services. ESPN has seen its reach in cable decline from 98 million homes in 2013 to around 72 million as a result of cord-cutting. 'Today's announcement paves the way for the world's leading sports media brand and America's most popular sport to deliver an even more compelling experience for NFL fans, in a way that only ESPN and Disney can,' Disney Chief Executive Bob Iger said in a statement. Read more: Can ESPN survive while cable TV dies? ESPN has the broadcast rights to 'Monday Night Football' and two Super Bowl games in the current NFL contract that runs through 2033 but is expected to be reopened in 2029. The deal with Disney means the NFL's other partners — Fox, NBC, CBS, YouTube and Amazon — will be bidding against an entity that the league has a financial interest in next time the media rights come up. Lachlan Murdoch, executive chairman of Fox Corp., told Wall Street analysts Tuesday he is not concerned the NFL's partnership with ESPN will impact his network's standing with the league. "We have a tremendous relationship with the NFL," Murdoch said. "We appreciate that they are fans of the broadcast and cable networks, and we look forward to working with them and deepening our relationship with them as we move forward." Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
USA Today
11 minutes ago
- USA Today
Cowboys backup QB excites in practice vs Rams before exiting with hand injury
Joe Milton is done for the day. Appeared to hurt his hand on an opposing helmet earlier in practice. We'll talk with Brian Schottenheimer shortly to see if it was precautionary or something to keep an eye on. Cowboys backup quarterback Joe Milton wowed the crowd early during the Cowboys-Rams joint practice before exiting with an apparent hand injury. The second-year player out of Tennessee showcased his impressive arm strength, hitting Dallas wideout Jalen Brooks for what the streets are calling a 65-yard bomb. He also showed some touch on a few passes and was overall having a very positive day. His great start was overshadowed by his noticeable absence. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer updated that he will undergo further testing, but it appears a bullet was dodged as Schotty indicated he was removed for precautionary reasons and would've been able to continue if anything was actually on the line. The injury bug Dallas has dealt with reared its ugly head again when Milton appeared to have hit his hand on an opposing team's helmet which subsequently ending his day. Third string quarterback Will Grier took over in Milton's absence. The first big play for the Cowboys: Joe Milton bomb for a touchdown to Jalen Brooks. Milton was acquired from the New England Patriots in exchange for a late-round pick the 2025 NFL draft. The Cowboys preseason opener is Saturday, August 9. Anticipation of seeing Milton in game action has been bubbling all summer, hopefully he'll be able to play.
