Patriots Trying “To Do Right By” WR Kayshon Boutte

Earlier this month, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer indicated New England is still trying “to do right by” Boutte, which would mean dealing him to a team that can offer a larger role (video link via Savage Boston Sports). The Pats parted ways with Stefon Diggs this offseason, but they acquired A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, both of whom – like Boutte and fellow holdovers Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams – are better-suited to play outside the numbers. Given the sizable investments in Brown and Doubs and the fact that Boutte is in a contract year and unlikely to be re-signed in 2027, player and team would benefit from a trade.

Although Breer had previously reported the Pats would move Boutte for a fifth- or sixth-round pick, no such offers have materialized as of yet. So just as free agents like Diggs, Keenan Allen, and Deebo Samuel could be waiting for a team to realize this summer that it needs to make a WR addition, whether because of injury or for some other reason, Boutte’s best chance at a strong platform-year campaign may hinge on a similar development.

While Boutte himself would welcome a trade, he did attend mandatory minicamp and is obviously participating in training camp. Breer expressed his belief that Boutte will eventually land elsewhere, but as our Ben Levine recently suggested, a cut rather than a trade may be the outcome here. Such a move would generate $3.67MM in cap savings with a minimal dead money charge.

However, the Patriots have nearly $35MM of cap room, the seventh-most in the league (per OverTheCap.com). Losing a talented player with no draft pick compensation to show for it would be a difficult pill to swallow, so it stands to reason that the team will continue looking for a trade partner.

Over the past two seasons, Boutte has averaged 38 catches for 570 yards. He scored a career-best six TDs in 2025.