The New England Patriots enjoyed some strong attendance since the start of their voluntary offseason workout program in late April, but Kayshon Boutte has been suspiciously absent so far. His decision to stay away comes in light of constant trade rumors surrounding the fourth-year wide receiver.
He apparently welcomes those as well. In fact, as was recently pointed out by ESPN insider Adam Schefter, Boutte has shown interest in leaving New England.
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“One wide receiver I’m still suspecting that something might happen with is Kayshon Boutte,” Schefter said on his podcast. “He has not been there for the offseason program. He has been interested in a trade. I would think that at some point this summer we may get action there. Another deal, Kayshon Boutte going somewhere else. We’ll see how that works out.”
Boutte has been one of the Patriots’ best receivers since joining as a sixth-round draft choice in 2023. After effectively redshirting his rookie season, he developed into a starting boundary receiver. Over his next two seasons caught 85 passes for 1,308 yards and 10 touchdowns in a combined 33 regular season and playoff games, all while developing some solid chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye.
However, Boutte also has been speculated as a trade candidate going back to 2025. Nothing has transpired since, but the Patriots’ efforts to overhaul their wide receiver group — including trading for former All-Pro A.J. Brown this week and signing veteran Romeo Doubs to a four-year, $68 million contract in free agency — shows that his position on the team is not as secure as his prior success might suggest.
Boutte is not expected to be on the field for the Patriots’ final OTA practice on Thursday, but his availability for mandatory minicamp June 9-11 will be worth watching. Absent players are subject to fines unless excused by the team, something that applies for Boutte just as fellow absentee Christian Gonzalez.
For what it is worth, head coach Mike Vrabel anticipates Gonzalez to be at minicamp. Boutte remains TBD at this point in time.
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