Kayshon Boutte is reportedly looking to get traded by the New England Patriots, and it really shouldn't be that difficult to figure out what they should do about it.
There's a lot to like about the LSU product and what he's brought to the team (he caught Drake Maye's first NFL touchdown pass, quickly became one of his favorite targets, and came up big in New England's AFC Divisional Round win against the Houston Texans last season - three receptions for 75 yards and a beautiful one-handed touchdown), but at the end of the day, he's likely already hit his peak with the Patriots. Now it's time for him to move on and look to shine elsewhere.
The Patriots don't have a long-term role for Kayshon Boutte
Boutte established himself as New England's best deep threat over the past couple of seasons, but following A.J. Brown's arrival, that's no longer the case.
Plus, while he's currently better than Kyle Williams, there's no denying that the soon-to-be second-year receiver has a higher ceiling, and it might be worth it for him to take some of Boutte's reps next season (Williams has the raw speed, explosiveness, and release to be a legitimate contributor in the NFL, and he can be the perfect outside partner to Brown, if he develops).
(And this isn't even factoring in Romeo Doubs, whom the Patriots signed in the offseason, Mack Hollins, who also became a Maye favorite in his first season with the team, and the possibility of a reunion with Stefon Diggs.)
Boutte is also set to hit unrestricted free agency after next season, and it's fair to assume that he's going to be looking to earn more than the $3.67 million he's set to make in 2026-27. He deserves a pay raise, just not with the Patriots, since his role with the team would likely just diminish if he were to stay with the team.
Kayshon Boutte provides depth, but that's not enough to keep him
Probably the biggest reason to keep the 24-year-old around is that he provides depth in New England's receiving room and can be a fantastic backup plan if Brown's knees basically dissolve overnight (though, according to Eliot Wolf, this likely isn't much of an issue). But depending on how much Boutte is going to be looking for in his next contract, it could cost the Patriots a pretty penny just to keep him around as a third or fourth receiver.
Boutte has talent, and he still has a ton of room to grow. But at this point, it seems like his best bet to have a long and successful NFL career is for him to move away from the now crowded receiving room in New England, which is likely why he's seeking a trade (if the reports are true).
And the Patriots should oblige.
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