New England Patriots
“I think my main focus is just that I’m here today. My feet are here today.”
FOXBOROUGH — Drake Maye should have no shortage of targets to throw to during the 2026 season.
But the Patriots’ crowded wide receiver room could also create some headaches for a New England roster that will undoubtedly have to make some painful cuts in the coming weeks.
It feels as though something’s got to give for a Patriots pass-catching corps already featuring the likes of A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, Kayshon Boutte, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III.
Speaking on Thursday, Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel acknowledged that New England would be willing to move a receiver for the right price — especially as an alternative to simply cutting a player to clear space on the depth chart.
“I love having depth, but I would say that we’re always going to try to look to improve, whether that’s by adding draft capital, obtaining a player or keeping the guys we have,” Vrabel said. “We want to try to provide competition throughout the roster at each position. I think that’s something that’s critical. I think that’s what good teams do every year, year in and year out, that they’re making the roster as competitive as possible.”
And when it comes to potential trade chips on New England’s roster, it’s hard not to focus on the club’s fourth-year wideout in Boutte.
The 24-year-old receiver has seemingly been linked to trade talks throughout the offseason, with New England potentially having concerns over Boutte’s reduced role in the offense in 2026 — as well as some trepidation over handing him a new contract after this season.
Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s training-camp practice, Boutte acknowledged that he has heard all of the trade whispers surrounding him — but is trying to stay grounded entering another season in Foxborough.
“We all hear a lot of the stuff that’s going on,” Boutte said. “I think my main focus is just that I’m here today. My feet are here today. If I’m somewhere else next week, the week after, that’s kind of what it is. That’s the business. But I’m taking every day, day by day, not thinking about what’s next.”
Boutte was also asked about whether or not he still thinks he’s on the trade block.
“I don’t know. That might be a Vrabes question,” Boutte said, before adding that he wants to remain in New England moving forward.
Despite Vrabel’s candid commentary about the roster crunch currently in place on offense, he also stressed that Boutte’s approach so far this summer has been similar to last year — a season where he averaged 16.7 yards per catch and reeled in six touchdowns from Maye.
“He’s very professional, ready to go, knows what to do and takes advantage of his opportunities,” Vrabel said of Boutte. “It’s been great to see him show up and be productive early in camp, just as he was last year. I have a lot of respect for him, and I’ve told him that. I’m excited he’s gotten off to a good start.”
Through the first week of training camp, Boutte hasn’t looked like a player whose role will be diminished even with the arrival of Brown and Doubs.
Even though he had a quieter morning on Thursday, Boutte has largely been New England’s most-impactful player so far in camp — hauling in several deep throws from Maye.
Boutte’s big-play capability and strong rapport with Maye make him the type of player worth keeping around — especially with the 2023 sixth-round pick motivated ahead of a contract year.
“Truth be told, I think if you were in a contract year at your reporting job, you would want that to be your best year,” Boutte said of playing for a new deal next season. “Whatever that looks like for me, we’ll look at all our options and see.”
That pending payday might be one of the top reasons New England might want to move on the former LSU standout now, rather than let him walk next offseason.
But for Boutte, his primary focus at this juncture of the NFL calendar revolves around building up for another season of football — rather than worrying about his next contract or his murky future in New England.
“It’s a lot of chatter, whether it’s online or in person,” Boutte acknowledged. “I think when we step in the building, we try not to let the noise distract you. On the field, I don’t think about it. The whole time I’m at work, I don’t think about it. I’m just where my feet are.”
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