Patriots Player Departure Patriots are sending WR Kayshon Boutte to the Texans for safety Jaylen Reed and a draft pick

[Rob0729]

From what I was able to read before the paywall this isn’t a knock on Boutte. It’s a knock on the clown show that was Belichick in 2024.

I respect that he felt he was better than washed, overpaid, apathetic players like Davante and JuJu and wanted opportunities. The fact that he was pissed off by Billy’s circus doesn’t make him look bad. Good on him.

Direct quote:

“I would always go to the sideline and demand the ball… I feel like I shouldn’t have to really ask”​

There are right ways and wrong ways to handle it. What Boutte did was wrong.

It is funny. People kill Mac Jones for how he handled how Belichick treated him, but Jones never publicly dissed Belichick or Patricia or anyone else. He tried to get help behind the scenes.

Boutte called out the coaching staff in the media. That is wrong especially for a second year WR who had done nothing in his career at that point. I am sorry. If you cannot admit that, then you are just a Boutte homer who will never say anything bad about the guy and will just blame the team for all Boutte's problems.

 

[Kdo5]

I don't know if he didn't trust Pop per se but I think it had more to do with Drake having a preference for the big play- which comes from in part the trust he had in Boutte to make them.

A slot receiver like Pop should’ve seen way more targets. I think Drake is an elite QB who finds the open man and the guys he trusts. Pop was like 5th or 6th on that list.

That could change this season but that’s what I saw last season during his MVP run.

 

[Kdo5]

Direct quote:

“I would always go to the sideline and demand the ball… I feel like I shouldn’t have to really ask”​

There are right ways and wrong ways to handle it. What Boutte did was wrong.

It is funny. People kill Mac Jones for how he handled how Belichick treated him, but Jones never publicly dissed Belichick or Patricia or anyone else. He tried to get help behind the scenes.

Boutte called out the coaching staff in the media. That is wrong especially for a second year WR who had done nothing in his career at that point. I am sorry. If you cannot admit that, then you are just a Boutte homer who will never say anything bad about the guy and will just blame the team for all Boutte's problems.

Boutte was never seen as a problem outside of the gambling thing or failing to drag his toes. I’ve been on this forum regularly paying attention to all the unnecessary nitty gritty stuff.

People (correctly) loathed the Belichick/Patricia thing and were willing to call it out. And clearly Boutte is much better than however Bill and Patricia perceived him.

Call me a Boutte homer, that’s fine. But if your argument rests on “this guy spoke up and vouched for himself against the Matt Patricia offense” or the Belichick doesn’t give a **** phase I don’t find it very compelling.

 

[Real fan 02]

To be fair, I think Reed has a chance. I’m a PSU fan, I liked him in college. He was a good defender and STs player.

DD Brother spot on. We all like K. Boutte and loved his story. I go back to two elements.

1. He Requested a trade
2. The trade market wasn't there like we as fans assumed it would have. Vrabel took the best offer in front of him.

With/without K. Boutte the WR corps is as best as it's been in years in NE.

 

[Real fan 02]

I'm seeing a lot of arguments about Boutte being a 4th or 5th WR here.

That's a great argument... IF Williams pans out.

This is what I've been saying all along. There's no problem with the trade IF Williams pans out.

And I've said that repeatedly.

But I've also said that if Williams DOES NOT pan out, then we not only have to look at the way we do WR evaluation because we selected Polk and Williams, but also because we let Boutte go!!!!

Agree. Another element to things aside the Obvious (AJ and Romeo) pop looks and feels like a different player. He's stronger and has been submerged in the McDaniels offense. Pop and Boutte in 2023 and 24 were the teams best WRs then. I really believe Pop is the guy who will flourish and this also made K. Boutte being traded more of a realistic feat for the team.

 

[Triumph]

He probably didn't. But he's in the same position in Houston as he's going to be the 3rd option at best. Looking at the depth chart, he should at least have an opportunity to line up outside opposite of Collins with Dell in the slot.

Houston has had real problems with WRs staying on the field.

Boutte could be a fantasy sleeper depending on Stroud.

Both Tom and Gronk were tired of BB especially after the Eagles Super Bowl. Tom initially told Bob he wanted out and Gronk ignored the Pats when contacting him.

Bob granted Tom's wish, but Tom decided to come back.

The trade was in place, but Gronk blocked it when he found out about it. He told the Pats he was retiring and the trade was immediately cancelled. Retired after the 2018 season and waited for Brady to leave NE to join him wherever he went.

IIRC, the whole issue stemmed over money. Shannon Sharpe took shot at Gronk for being taken in contract negotiations with BB.

 

[Rob0729]

Boutte is an interesting guy. He has had off field problems but has matured too and is very open about his feelings.

I do give him credit for growing up. But I can see why the Patriots would be hesitant to give him a long term deal or commit to him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

A slot receiver like Pop should’ve seen way more targets. I think Drake is an elite QB who finds the open man and the guys he trusts. Pop was like 5th or 6th on that list.

That could change this season but that’s what I saw last season during his MVP run.

That goes back to Drake's preference to push the ball downfield.

Your eyes aren't lying..Pop was 4th in targets which lines up to Drakes preferences but his drop % was the highest of the top 5 targets consisting of HH, Diggs, Hollins, Boutte and Pop

 

[BUSTAMOVE]

I do give him credit for growing up. But I can see why the Patriots would be hesitant to give him a long term deal or commit to him.

Or better yet keeping him on this years team with minimal targets in a contract year
Did not know that about him. He always seemed quiet

 

[Rob0729]

Boutte was never seen as a problem outside of the gambling thing or failing to drag his toes. I’ve been on this forum regularly paying attention to all the unnecessary nitty gritty stuff.

People (correctly) loathed the Belichick/Patricia thing and were willing to call it out. And clearly Boutte is much better than however Bill and Patricia perceived him.

Call me a Boutte homer, that’s fine. But if your argument rests on “this guy spoke up and vouched for himself against the Matt Patricia offense” or the Belichick doesn’t give a **** phase I don’t find it very compelling.

I showed you two times when Boutte was a problem. He was reportedly one of the several young players who made a stink on the field in 2023.

Again, there are ways to handle bad situations and Boutte handled them wrong. As a second year player who had done nothing in his career he does not have the right to publicly "speak up for himself" against the coaches in the media. It was wrong. It would have been wrong if a seasoned pro did it. You heard about a lot of players having issues with the offense inside the locker room that year, none of veterans came out publicly against the coaching staff. Same in the Mayo year.

And the gambling stuff was at LSU. It wasn't with the Patriots. It was the one thing that wasn't an issue with the Pats mentioned on this board.

 

[mgteich]

So, in the past week, we have signed players who can start if needed at OG, C, P and S. We also discovered a backup punter.

I would say that our depth has improved a bit.

And yes, we gave up our 7th WR.

this is a foolish comment
you continue to discuss "worth" regarding Boutte, while disregarding the pending contract.
Boutte's "worth" is not only predicated on his on the field production, but his next contract.
Boutte's value on the field far exceeding a 6th round pick. his looming free agency is what is impacting his trade value.
If Boutte puts up the same numbers he did this past season, he is getting paid, and he is playing where he wants to play.

the Pats did not put a value on Boutte, the market did. the market digested his production, age, health, and contract status.

Doubs-2025 season. 55 rcpts. 65% catch percent. 13 yards per rcpt
Boutte-2025 season. 33 rcpts. 72% catch percent. 17 yards per rcpt
Doubs-4 years $70m
Boutte with the same stats as 2025-4 years ??million?

Worth includes the value of a player, given his contract.

 

[Rob0729]

Or better yet keeping him on this years team with minimal targets in a contract year
Did not know that about him. He always seemed quiet

There were rumblings his rookie year that he and Polk had a blow up with the coaching staff on the field during one game. Him quitting came out during the offseason and was probably missed.

In fairness, about when he did call out Van Pelt in the media, he did come out and publicly apologize after apologizing to Van Pelt privately. I forgot about that part.

Kayshon Boutte apologizes for his critical comments on Patriots' offensive play-calling

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte apologized on Wednesday for voicing his displeasure about the team's offensive play-calling following Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[Kdo5]

I showed you two times when Boutte was a problem. He was reportedly one of the several young players who made a stink on the field in 2023.

Again, there are ways to handle bad situations and Boutte handled them wrong. As a second year player who had done nothing in his career he does not have the right to publicly "speak up for himself" against the coaches in the media. It was wrong. It would have been wrong if a seasoned pro did it. You heard about a lot of players having issues with the offense inside the locker room that year, none of veterans came out publicly against the coaching staff. Same in the Mayo year.

And the gambling stuff was at LSU. It wasn't with the Patriots. It was the one thing that wasn't an issue with the Pats mentioned on this board.

I’m just saying you are on the very few I’ve heard call Boutte a “head case”. Like that isn’t what he was regarded as. If people think he was a JAG receiver okay I’m happy to argue about that but I think a lot of guys deserve a pass to have hated coaching and GM decisions for that season.

Like I indicated before I don’t hate on a player who felt he was much better than given credit for, spoke up and then proved it.

 

[mgteich]

Probably not, I think five including Schooler.

Woodson
Byard
Reed
Saunders
+Schooler

Pettus to the PS

This seems reasonable. However, I'm at all sure of the value of 4th safety.
We could keep Saunders. I suspect that the PS is a better place for him.
We could keep ST ace Pettus.
We could keep no #4 S. Didn't we play most of 2025 with Woodson, Hawkins and Pettus? Perhaps, Byard, Woodson and Reed is enough.

Personally, I would keep Pettus on the 53.

 

[rkarp1]

What happens if Houston and Boutte cant come to a contract agreement?

he becomes a free agent

 

[mgteich]

Potential for Reed to be the big nickel and M.Jones to play more outside CB rotating with Davis?

If Conzo isn't playing, yes.

If Gonzo is playing, we have one of the best set of corners in the league. I wouldn't sit Davis to play Reed.

 

[mgteich]

he becomes a free agent

if they cut him. He is under contract.

 

[Rob0729]

I’m just saying you are on the very few I’ve heard call Boutte a “head case”. Like that isn’t what he was regarded as. If people think he was a JAG receiver okay I’m happy to argue about that but I think a lot of guys deserve a pass to have hated coaching and GM decisions for that season.

I gave multiple examples of head case and diva like behavior. You just refuse to accept it. And the behavior happened over multiple regimes.

But we are not getting anywhere at this point. We will just have to agree to disagree.

 

[mgteich]

TOP THREE
I think that will be much better than las year.

NUMBER FOUR AND FIVE
I think that Williams and Douglas are a good set of backups, and will likely be at least as productive as they were last year.

 

[Kdo5]

I gave multiple examples of head case and diva like behavior. You just refuse to accept it. And the behavior happened over multiple regimes.

But we are not getting anywhere at this point. We will just have to agree to disagree.

My point was that you are exaggerating a perception of him being a head case when no one thought about or identified him as such. Only now that he’s traded. What your reason is for mentioning that appears to me as you piling it on to justify a decisions.

That the Patriots basically didn’t want to pay him or thought they had better players is the reason, right or wrong. Remains to be seen.

Agree to disagree, indeed.