New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been at the center of trade speculation throughout the offseason.
The 24-year-old enters the final year of his rookie contract and requested a trade during the spring after the Patriots acquired A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason.
For now, though, Boutte remains in New England.
Throughout training camp, the wide receiver has continued to flash his big-play ability while rotating with the first- and second-team offense as the Patriots wide receiver depth
chart remains seven deep. That could still result in Boutte being elsewhere by Week 1.
Following Wednesday’s walkthrough, quarterback Drake Maye was asked about Boutte’s future with the team.
“I think just the way Kayshon is approaching it, man. He’s here now,” Maye said. “He’s where his feet are at, and I’m having fun throwing it to him out there in practice. He’s doing a great job, and he makes plays when the football’s in the air. And I think he can speak for that, and that speaks for itself. So, I’ve had a lot of great times with Kayshon, and I’m looking forward to us getting better each and every day.”
After Boutte posted back-to-back 500-yard season, the Patriots added Brown and Doubs to the roster this season to join him, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III.
Speaking earlier this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Maye broke down his top seven wide receivers and mentioned Boutte last.
“Probably the last one is Boutte,” Maye said. “He’s a comforting receiver to throw to. You get to know him – same thing as Pop, this is my third year with Boutte and I was throwing to him on scout team when I was a rookie. Now we’re making plays; I threw my first touchdown to him. He’s just one of those guys that is quiet, does everything the right way, cares about his teammates, and he just puts his head down and works. There’s a lot of talk about whatever you want to say with Boutte, but he just continues to make plays. He’s going to be in the right spot and make a play on the football.”
Maye’s comments echo what Boutte has shown throughout training camp. But the business side of the NFL could still result in him playing elsewhere before the regular season — something Boutte remains open to as he looks to secure the first significant payday of his career.
