Bend’s Hollister, a former Seahawk and Patriot, is rooting for both
Published 12:37 pm Friday, February 6, 2026
At 3:30 p.m. Sunday the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks will face off, with the chance to win a Lombardi Trophy and be crowned Super Bowl champions.
Jacob Hollister, for good reason, might have a difficult time choosing whom he wants to win on Super Bowl Sunday. During the Bend native’s NFL career, both New England and Seattle were the teams he spent the most time with and had his most successful seasons.
“Looking back, I love those times in New England and Seattle, making the playoffs both seasons,” Hollister said. “I’m excited to watch both teams. It will be a fun game.”
Of the former Mountain View quarterback’s six seasons in the NFL, two each were with the Patriots and the Seahawks — the teams squaring off at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday. Hollister spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons on the Patriots before signing with the Seahawks for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
New England gave Hollister (and his twin brother, Cody) his first shot in the league in 2017 when it signed the former Class 5A Player of the Year, who led Mountain View to a state championship in 2011. Hollister made the team as an undrafted free agent out of the University of Wyoming.
A tight end, he started two games while catching eight passes for 94 yards over the two seasons. Both years, New England advanced to the Super Bowl, winning one of them in 2019 by knocking off the Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LII. That year, Hollister was placed on injured reserve after tearing his hamstring in the playoffs.
But the next two seasons in Seattle, Hollister saw his playing time increase. He played a prominent role in helping the Seahawks reach the postseason in both seasons. Hollister had a career year with 41 catches, 349 yards and three touchdowns in 2019. The following year, he once again scored three touchdowns for Seattle.
Hollister last played an NFL snap in 2022 as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. He bounced around multiple practice squads before officially retiring from football six months ago.
These days, Hollister is pursuing ranching full time in Sisters and celebrating his one-year anniversary with his wife, Josie. The couple recently welcomed a child.
So, who is Hollister pulling for on Sunday?
“It is tough because a lot of the guys that I played with are gone from both organizations,” Hollister said. “I look back at my time at both places and I’m just so grateful. Can’t say I’m leaning one way or another, but I’m a proud alumni of both teams that I spent the majority of my time with making it to the (Super Bowl) this year.”