How Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte is handling trade rumors
"There’s 12 of us. At the end of the day, there will probably be six of us if we’re [being] honest."
FOXBOROUGH — There’s only so many roster spots up for grabs on the Patriots’ crowded wide-receiver room.
That sentiment has not been lost on third-year wideout Kayshon Boutte — who has already heard his name come up in trade rumors earlier this offseason.
But speaking to reporters on Wednesday following the Patriots’ latest OTA practice, Boutte said that he hasn’t spent much time worrying about trade whispers.
“I heard about it, but I tried not to really put too much time into that,” Boutte said. “You know, there’s just a lot of people just sitting behind phones and just typing. It’s got nothing to really do with me.”
Boutte was one of the few bright spots on an otherwise underwhelming Patriots roster in 2024. After a quiet rookie campaign, Boutte developed into a dependable pass-catching target for Drake Maye last fall — reeling in 43 catches for 589 yards and three touchdowns.
But even with the promise showcased by Boutte, his spot on New England’s roster is far from a guarantee this year. Beyond the offseason additions of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, Boutte will have to contend with other younger players looking to make a push on the NFL roster.
New England added a potential boundary receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft in Kyle Williams, while undrafted wideout Efton Chism out of Eastern Washington has popped early during OTAs.
Even with Ja’Lynn Polk’s disastrous 2024 season in Foxborough, it also remains to be seen if the Patriots will opt to cut ties with a second-year pro this summer — especially a former second-round pick like Polk.
“We’ve got a lot of guys. There’s 12 of us. At the end of the day, there will probably be six of us if we’re [being] honest,” Boutte said. “Every day is another opportunity to get better and be great. We all know we’re in competition, but it’s up to us at the end of the day.”
Boutte’s rapport with Maye could help him once the Patriots begin the unenviable task of cutting down the roster later this summer.
But if younger players like Williams and Chism impress early on, Boutte will need to potentially leapfrog veterans like Kendrick Bourne in order to remain on New England’s roster.
“I think that he’s gotten in better shape as we started to go on to the OTAs, and I think that’s really started to help him as we stack plays together,” Mike Vrabel said of Boutte. “In the game, you don’t just take a play on and just come off and then go back and forth.
“Hopefully, you can string together four or five plays as we work down the football field. So, I think that he’s working to do that. I like his attitude. I enjoy his willingness to continue to improve and maybe do some things a little differently.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com