Perhaps the Houston Texans got a steal in a player like new wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
If anything, fans found out why the New England Patriotsweren't that upset to see their formerNo. 2 wide receiverleaving via trade ahead of the regular season.
Given that Boutte was arguably the second-best receiving option behind Stefon Diggs amid a run to the Super Bowl, it was a surprise to hear the comments made by Patriots coach Mike Vrabel following Thursday's preseason finale. After acquiring All-Pro A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles and signing Green Bay Packers standout Romeo Doubs, Boutte had been pushed down the depth chart.
But Vrabel took a step further, saying that if the Patriots hadn’t dealt Boutte, he likely wouldn’t have seen the field
for them because of their overall depth.
“I think for all parties involved, that was probably the best thing," Vrabel told reporters. "Without injuries, Kayshon probably would’ve been inactive, unfortunately. Just kind of the way it was with him not playing special teams.”
Mike Vrabel on the Kayshon Boutte trade:
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 28, 2026
“It was one place where we do have some depth. For all parties involved, that was probably the best thing. Without injuries, Kayshon probably would’ve been inactive unfortunately. Kinda the way it was, him not playing special teams. I try… pic.twitter.com/oTCnXbTAV5
Boutte’s 33 receptions with Drake Maye as the starter ranked fifth on the Patriots squad and third among receivers. His 551 yards ranked third on the team behind tight end Hunter Henry and Diggs, while his six touchdown catches ranked second.
Nationally, Boutte was a top-five player in yards per reception, hauling in nearly 17 yards per play. He also was known for his ability to take the top off of defenses, as evident in the game-sealing touchdown reception versus the Texans while in coverage against Derek Stingley Jr.
But New England believed its depth would be good enough to avoid any problems, so it shipped him off to Houston for defensive back Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. Vrabel did say he tried to thank Boutte "as many times as he could," given the circumstances.
“His maturity, his growth, his ability to put into words last year and share his own personal struggle, but also the growth that he made from that. That’s positively going to affect a lot of people," Vrabel said. “I know that wasn’t easy for him to do. I tell him all the time how much I respect him for being able to do that.”
The Texans open the season against the Buffalo Bills, Boutte's former divisional rival, at home on Sept. 13.
This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Patriots HC Mike Vrabel gave brutally honest answer on Texans' WR Kayshon Boutte's former role
