Kayshon Boutte makes feelings on future clear after Patriots acquire A.J. Brown

Shortly after the New England Patriots acquired wide receiver A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles last week, it was reported that Patriots receiver Kayshon Boutte was "interested" in being traded by the franchise. 

According to Boutte, he'd like to remain with the reigning AFC champions through and beyond the 2026 NFL season.

Kayshon Boutte wants to stay with Patriots for longer than one more season

"I want to be in New England for the rest of my career," Boutte said, as shared by Mark Daniels of MassLive. "I’ve enjoyed it out here. Been here three years. Every day I’m here. I call this home. This is my new home. Grew up in Louisiana, stayed there 20 years, but now Boston is my life." 

A 2023 sixth-round draft pick, Boutte is under contract through the 2026 campaign. ESPN stats show he was fifth on the Patriots last season with 33 receptions, tied for fourth with 46 targets, third with 551 receiving yards and second with six touchdown catches. He stayed away from the team throughout voluntary workouts this spring, but he insisted that he always planned to report for the start of the club's mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. 

"Just a lot of speculation going on. Just trying to figure out everything," Boutte said about skipping voluntary sessions. "I try not to buy into whether it’s the trade rumors or anything like that. I’m still working even though I’m away. That’s my focus." 

Kayshon Boutte reacts to Patriots landing A.J. Brown from the Eagles

Brown is on track to serve as New England's WR1, and free-agency signing Romeo Doubs will also take targets that otherwise could have gone to Boutte. Boutte seems thrilled that the Patriots officially landed Brown. 

"That was a good pickup," Boutte said about New England acquiring Brown. "He’s a great dude. You watch him, he dominates. Great X-receiver, dominant. Whether that’s deep ball, short route, he can catch. Slant and take it to the house. Big-bodied, contested catches. We watch those guys. I’m an X-receiver, too. I sit there and watch his tape. Just a guy you see that constantly wins 1-on-1."

Boutte also acknowledged that "there’s always competition" as it pertains to New England's wide-receiver situation ahead of mandatory minicamp. Whether or not he will remain part of New England's competition for targets through the end of the preseason shall be seen.