Maye Defends Boutte Amid Trade Noise
Drake Maye spoke up for Kayshon Boutte after rumors said the wide receiver might leave New England. The quarterback praised Boutte’s approach during Wednesday’s walkthrough at Gillette Stadium. The 24-year-old receiver entered the final year of his rookie deal and asked for a trade earlier this spring. That request came after the team signed A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs. Despite the noise, Boutte remains on the roster and keeps making plays in practice.
The situation is tricky for the Patriots. They added big names to the depth chart, pushing Boutte down the list. He still flashes big-play ability while working with the first and second teams. The depth chart is seven players deep right now. Boutte could still be gone by the start of Week 1. The business side of the NFL often forces these tough choices. Maye wants to see the receiver succeed, but he knows the front office has its own plans.
Ranking the Receivers and the Work
Maye laid out his thoughts on the top seven wide receivers earlier this week on SiriusXM NFL Radio. He ranked Boutte last among the group. That comment might sound harsh to fans, but Maye explained the context right after. He called him a “comforting receiver to throw to” who does everything the right way. Maye noted he was throwing to Boutte on the scout team when he was a rookie. Now they are making plays together, including Maye’s first touchdown pass to him.
Work ethic matters more than the ranking number in this league. Maye highlighted that Boutte is quiet and cares about his teammates. He just puts his head down and works. This kind of grind separates good weeks from bad ones. It also separates players who stay from players who get moved. Boutte has posted back-to-back 500-yard seasons. That shows he can catch the ball when the time is right.
Brown, Doubs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams, and Efton Chism III fill a crowded room for the Patriots. Boutte faces stiff competition for targets. Yet Maye insists he is having fun throwing the ball to him in practice. The chemistry is there. The question is whether the team can keep him given the salary cap and the new additions. The receiver is ready to go whenever the team needs him.
What the Future Holds for the WR
My take is simple: Boutte has done the work to earn a spot, but the math might not add up. The front office spent big on Brown and Doubs to upgrade the position. That leaves Boutte as the odd man out in a contract year. Maye’s comments show the locker room respects the guy. Boutte is open to playing elsewhere to get his first big payday.
Don’t let the trade rumors make you think Boutte is a bad player. He is a solid receiver who gets open and makes tough catches. The problem is the depth chart is deep. Mike Vrabel’s team needs everyone to step up, but they also need to manage money. If Boutte gets traded, it won’t be because he stopped working. It will be because the team has too many options. Maye will miss throwing to him if he goes. The quarterback clearly values their connection on the field.
Fans should watch the next few days of camp closely. The Patriots claim Tejhaun Palmer off waivers from Arizona and released rookie TE Jeremiah Franklin. These moves show the team is still tweaking the roster. The final roster cuts will decide Boutte’s fate. He has the talent. He has the work ethic. He just needs a spot to shine. The team will make a decision soon. Until then, Maye will keep looking for Boutte in the right spot to make a play on the football.
