PATRIOTS TRAINING CAMP 2026 Patriots Training Camp - Day 12

[Triumph]

Branch had case. He was only making $1M in 2006 and he was a Super Bowl MVP. That was terribly managed by BB.

Boutte has shown up and played well. However, he did recently make a weird comment.

"It's whatever's best for me," Boutte told reporters, H/T SI. "Like I said, whether it's here or somewhere else, I gotta do what's best for me."

"I can't really say it today, you kinda gotta see how things play out," Boutte said. "So like I say, taking it day by day, I'm not a future teller, so I couldn't tell you."

Patriots' Kayshon Boutte Speaks on Potential Trade Out of New England | NESN

The Patriots youngster didn't have much to say.

nesn.com

I’d be shocked and furious if he’s traded.

I hate to see him go too.

The Doubs contract set Boutte off.

 

[jdlboot14]

The AJ + Doubs trade/signing was absolutely desperation.
But, they were desperate. The offense needed better depth and production boost from the WR position.
And we all know the Pats CANNOT get it in the draft. They just can't. Any WR we pick in the top 2 rounds WILL BUST.

So, they had to use FA again. BUT, now that we've waited out the ramp-up years of your draftees Pop + Boutte, they should not cut bait. It might take Doubs a year to figure it out in this system, so it's a 0 SUM situation with the $ Doubs is getting, and the last year of Boutte's production. The bet is - next year Doubs + KW will be ready for #2 + #3 role.

 

[Huckleberry1]

One of them was supposed to replace Hollins last season.

This is beyond stupid. Hollins was only signed last year and they got rid of Polk and Bakee before the season began.

 

[TheRainMaker]

One of them was supposed to replace Hollins last season.

Agree. Hollins had no business making the team and only did because it turns out Polk and Baker don’t belong in the NFL.

 

[rochrist]

Agree. Hollins had no business making the team and only did because it turns out Polk and Baker don’t belong in the NFL.

This is beyond stupid.

 

[Ring 6]

Polk and Baker were bums. That is why I wanted Hollins on the team.

Of course Boutte is under contract. That was the whole premise of asking to be traded. Branch was under contract too. Being under contract is meaningless if the player does not want to be on that team.

Boutte has no choice but to be on the team. There is zero evidence he is giving any less than 100% and no incentive for him not to.

 

[Ring 6]

One of them was supposed to replace Hollins last season.

Not really. They failed and Hollins replaced them.

 

[Ring 6]

The AJ + Doubs trade/signing was absolutely desperation.
But, they were desperate. The offense needed better depth and production boost from the WR position.
And we all know the Pats CANNOT get it in the draft. They just can't. Any WR we pick in the top 2 rounds WILL BUST.

So, they had to use FA again. BUT, now that we've waited out the ramp-up years of your draftees Pop + Boutte, they should not cut bait. It might take Doubs a year to figure it out in this system, so it's a 0 SUM situation with the $ Doubs is getting, and the last year of Boutte's production. The bet is - next year Doubs + KW will be ready for #2 + #3 role.

Acquiring players isn’t “desperation”. They paid a reasonable price for both. Every team acquires players every year.

Why would you get rid of Boutte if you think for some bizarre reason that Doubs needs a redshirt year?

Boutte is going to go out and earn a contact here or somewhere else.
Brown, Doubs, Boutte as the starting WRs through 2028 would be great. Williams reaching his potential and supplanting one of them would be even better.

 

[Triumph]

Not really. They failed and Hollins replaced them.

I was told that Polk and Baker had upside and this was during the roster cutdowns.

Facts are that Hollins job was never in question since he was specifically brought to NE and paid.

 

[Triumph]

Boutte has no choice but to be on the team. There is zero evidence he is giving any less than 100% and no incentive for him not to.

Did Branch have a choice? Sure did.

Boutte just stated that "I will do what is best for ME." Not the Patriots.

One of 2 outcomes needs to occur.

1. Pay Boutte more money now. The Pats could end this whole deal today and I dont see any money or talk of resolving this. Vrabel dances around the issue claiming that NE could very well keep 7 WRs (which everyone knows wont happen) because Vrabel has to appear that he will keep Boutte so that he receives the highest value possible sooner rather than later.

2. Trade Boutte. Talk that Boutte is being shopped is all over the web. Karen G confirmed that Boutte asked to gone. Maye was asked about Boutte wanting out. Boutte is being shopped, but some people refuse to accept it.

 

[Ring 6]

I was told that Polk and Baker had upside and this was during the roster cutdowns.

Facts are that Hollins job was never in question since he was specifically brought to NE and paid.

Who told you that?
He was brought in on a cheap contact to compete for a job.

 

[Triumph]

This is beyond stupid. Hollins was only signed last year and they got rid of Polk and Bakee before the season began.

Thats what I was told on this board during 2025 roster cutdowns.

 

[Ring 6]

Did Branch have a choice? Sure did.

Boutte just stated that "I will do what is best for ME." Not the Patriots.

One of 2 outcomes needs to occur.

1. Pay Boutte more money now. The Pats could end this whole deal today and I dont see any money or talk of resolving this. Vrabel dances around the issue claiming that NE could very well keep 7 WRs (which everyone knows wont happen) because Vrabel has to appear that he will keep Boutte so that he receives the highest value possible sooner rather than later.

2. Trade Boutte. Talk that Boutte is being shopped is all over the web. Karen G confirmed that Boutte asked to gone. Maye was asked about Boutte wanting out. Boutte is being shopped, but some people refuse to accept it.

Nope. Boutte will play here in his rookie contract.
Hundreds of players do.

 

[Triumph]

Who told you that?
He was brought in on a cheap contact to compete for a job.

Hilarious you would ask

 

[Triumph]

Nope. Boutte will play here in his rookie contract.
Hundreds of players do.

Branch didnt.

 

[Ring 6]

Thats what I made up that someone said on this board during 2025 roster cutdowns.

FIFY

 

[Ring 6]

Branch didnt.

Branch was a SB MVP who has a market of a # 1 pick and held out.
There are no similarities between the 2.

 

[Triumph]

Branch was a SB MVP who has a market of a # 1 pick and held out.
There are no similarities between the 2.

You told us that a WR under contract had to play.

 

[Triumph]

FIFY

Facts

Maroney got traded and out of the NFL.
Polk just retired.
Baker is MIA. Nobody has heard or seen him.
Bouttes days are numbered now.

 

[TheRainMaker]

This is beyond stupid.

Teams would rather have guy who was over 30 years old, never has played on a team for more than 2 years, going on his 6th team in 8 years than two young WR’s they just drafted in the 2nd and 4th rounds one year ago. That is beyond stupid.