The Patriots’ handling of Kayshon Boutte is starting to look like a message, even if it’s not one they’ve said out loud.
Boutte has spent the last two seasons carving out a real role as one of Drake Maye’s most dependable targets, and his connection with the young quarterback has only made the trade chatter around him louder. That noise has followed him all offseason, even as the Patriots have continued to weigh what to do with a receiver who is entering the final year of his rookie deal this fall.
And right now, the signs are pointing in an uncomfortable direction for anyone hoping Boutte stays put.
New locker room setup at the Patriots’ training facility unveiling gave fans something to notice immediately: Boutte was no longer positioned near Maye. Last season, the two had lockers close to each other.
This time, Boutte was grouped farther away, alongside Tommy DeVito, Kyle Williams, Efton Chism III and Kyle Dixon, while Maye was next to A.J. Brown, Mack Hollins, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas.
It may seem like a small detail, but with Boutte’s future already under a microscope, people noticed fast.
The Patriots have taken calls on Boutte’s availability, though reports indicate they still haven’t received an offer strong enough to make them seriously consider moving him. That matters, because if New England is going to part with a receiver who has become such a useful piece for Maye, the return needs to be worth it.
And that’s where the argument gets tougher for the Patriots. Maye has been clear about how much he values working with Boutte, and keeping productive receivers together should be part of the foundation around him. The team has struggled with that kind of stability for too long, which makes the idea of moving on from a reliable pass catcher all the more frustrating for fans.
If the Patriots are going to trade Boutte, the bar should be high. A fourth-rounder is the minimum they should even think about, and even that seems unlikely to materialize. For now, the lack of a serious offer is the best reason to believe Boutte stays in New England, at least for the moment.
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