Kayshon Boutte skipped the Patriots’ voluntary OTA sessions this offseason. Trade rumors followed. Now, with mandatory minicamp starting Tuesday, the wide receiver says he’ll be there.
Boutte was drafted by New England in the sixth round in 2023. He had a quiet rookie year but topped 500 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons.
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“I try not to buy into it,” Boutte told WBZ-TV of Boston on Saturday at King Street Memorial Park in Franklin, Massachusetts, at an informal fan gathering he organized after playing pickup basketball there the day before.
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“At the end of the day, I can control what I can control. As long as I’m doing what I’m supposed to do off the field, everything else will play out.”
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This offseason, New England added wide receiver Romeo Doubs, then acquired A.J. Brown, one of the best at the position. With Brown set to command a heavy target share, there’s less room for Kayshon Boutte in the offense.
Patriots coach Mike Vrabel responded to the trade chatter.
“I have a great amount of respect for Kayshon, and watching him mature and grow through the entire time that we spent together, that’s a credit to Kayshon, that’s a credit to (receivers coach) Todd Downing,” Vrabel said recently.
“I would imagine that he would pick up where he left off and grow on the season that he had last year.”
Read more Kayshon Boutte’s Contract Breakdown, Salary Cap Details, Bonuses, Terms
“I think the kids enjoyed it”: Kayshon Boutte spends his Saturday with fans in Franklin
Kayshon Boutte invited fans on social media Saturday morning to come out, and people showed up. He spent hours playing football and basketball, signing autographs and taking photos.
“It’s not like a camp or anything, just a friendly gathering,” Boutte said.
“Friends in the neighborhood, y’all come to the park, play out front. I think the kids enjoyed it. They were excited about it.”
A young girl asked if he trained like that every day. He told her yes. He said he hopes events like this can motivate young athletes.
Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein