As the Buffalo Bills gear up for their AFC East matchup against the New England Patriots this Sunday night in Orchard Park, quarterback Josh Allen shared his enthusiasm about reuniting with former teammate Mack Hollins, now a wide receiver for the Patriots. Hollins, a fan favorite during his one-year stint with the Bills in 2024, left a lasting impression both on and off the field.
Mack Hollins: A Buffalo Legend
During his single season with the Bills, Mack Hollins quickly became a beloved figure in Buffalo, embracing the team’s “Everybody Eats” culture and winning over fans with his vibrant personality and off-field antics. On the field, Hollins was a reliable target, finishing the 2024 season with 31 receptions, 378 receiving yards, and five touchdowns, making him the third-leading receiver on the team.
Now with the Patriots, Hollins has continued to contribute, recording seven receptions for 42 yards and two touchdowns through the first four weeks of the 2025 season. Speaking to reporters after Wednesday’s practice, Allen expressed his excitement about seeing his former teammate.
“Very excited to see Mack Hollins,” Allen said. “He made a very lasting impact in his one season here and, again, he’s another Buffalo kind of folklore legend. We do miss him — he’s awesome. Having some success over there in that offense too, so it will be fun to see all the guys.”
Stefon Diggs’ Return
Hollins isn’t the only former Bills player returning to Orchard Park this weekend. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who was traded to the Houston Texans before the 2024 season, will also face his former team. Diggs, who recorded six receptions for 82 yards in a 23-20 Texans’ victory over Buffalo last season, has tallied 19 receptions for 213 yards through four games with the Patriots in 2025.
Allen downplayed the emotional weight of Diggs’ return, noting, “We played them last year, so I don’t think it’s anything super crazy. But obviously being back in Buffalo, who knows if the emotions are going to be heightened for him or for the fans or whatever it is. But just, we’re going to go out there and try to perform the best we can.”
As the Bills prepare to take on the Patriots, the return of Hollins and Diggs adds an extra layer of intrigue to this primetime showdown. For Allen and the Bills, the focus remains on performance, but the reunion with familiar faces promises to make Sunday night’s game a memorable one for players and fans alike.