The Kansas City Chiefs were already staring at a thin wide receiver market. Now one of the few names that made sense is gone.
On Monday, with active roster cuts just six days away, the Houston Texans moved to grab Kayshon Boutte from the trade block in a deal with the New England Patriots. NFL reporter Tom Pelissero reported that safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick are headed to New England in the trade.
Boutte had become the most interesting receiver available for a Chiefs team that has been linked to outside help this preseason. At 24, he has gone from a former sixth-round pick in 2023 to a dependable piece in Foxborough over the last two seasons. Last year alone, he finished with 33 catches for 551 yards and 6 touchdowns in the regular season, then added 9 receptions for 168 yards and 1 touchdown during New England’s postseason run.
The Patriots were able to deal him because they had already reshaped their receiver room around Drake Maye. This offseason, they traded a first-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for A.J.
Brown and added former Packers receiver Romeo Doubs in free agency. That left them with a new top option and a solid No. 2 before even getting to the holdovers already on the roster, including DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins.
For Kansas City, Boutte had been a logical name to circle for weeks. The Chiefs have been dealing with concerns at every level of the receiver depth chart, from Rashee Rice’s knee surgery to Xavier Worthy’s injury history, Tyquan Thornton’s lack of proven production and Jalen Royals’ inexperience. Boutte would have given the offense a steadier answer.
Instead, he’s now on the roster of another AFC contender. And with Stefon Diggs no longer available on the free-agent market and Boutte off the trade block, there’s not much left for the Chiefs to chase if they still want to bring in help from outside.
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