New England Patriots
“I hope it’s here, but we’ll see how it goes.”
Kayshon Boutte Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe
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After missing the Patriots’ voluntary OTA sessions, receiver Kayshon Boutte returned to Foxborough for the fist day of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.
The 2023 sixth-round pick is entering the final season of his rookie deal. He hopes that this season won’t be his last with the Patriots and said that he’s willing to play at a variety of receiver positions.
“I wouldn’t mind being here, I do want to be here,” Boutte said. “Whether that’s at X, Z, F, whatever I’ve got to do that’s best for me. Whether that’s learning the playbook more or moving around, there’s only one football and there’s five of us, you know?
“But, that’s football at the end of the day. You never know who it is going to, so obviously learning the playbook, different positions will help at the end of the day.’
Boutte has been the subject of trade rumors over the past few weeks. His absence and the addition of A.J. Brown has raised questions about Boutte’s fit on this roster.
“At the end of the day, it is going to be what’s best for me whether that’s here or somewhere else,” Boutte said in response to a question about the trade rumors. “I hope it’s here, but we’ll see how it goes.”
With Brown and Romeo Doubs added, the Patriots’ receiver room has become somewhat crowded with Boutte, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism returning from last season. The Patriots parted ways with Stefon Diggs.
Boutte’s numbers took a slight dip last season. He tallied 551 receiving yards and six touchdowns, but received just 46 targets last year compared to 68 in 2024.
He made up for it by averaging 16.7 yards per catch, which was the most on the team by a player with more than ten catches.
Boutte was asked whether he felt the new talent on the roster might make it even harder for him to get touches.
“I’ll say no. Just keep doing what I was doing,” Boutte said. “The ball finds me and I make plays. You rarely see me drop the football, so every opportunity I get make the best of it.”
Boutte caught 33 of his 46 targets last season. He is scheduled to make $3.6 million in base salary this season, marking the first time his cap hit has reached more than $1.1 million.
“It’s something I’ve got to do,” Boutte said of playing on his current contract. “If that’s what I’ve got to do, then I’ve got to do it at the end of the day. I can’t control it.”
Boutte said he loves his teammates and playing for the Patriots. Availability and competition are two things that could help him stay here.
“It’s been getting crowded every year,” Boutte said. “We find ourselves in the same position at the beginning of every offseason, but at the end of the day you’ve still got to come to training camp and fight.
“No spot is given no matter who it is. At the end of the day, you’ve still got to go out and perform.”
Khari A. Thompson
Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss.
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