There is increasing belief across the NFL that New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte will be traded before the start of the 2026 season.
Head coach Mike Vrabel has overhauled his options at wide receiver in the offseason after the Patriots lost the Super Bowl in February to the Seattle Seahawks.Â
Romeo Doubs arrived as a free agent after leaving Green Bay Packers and momentum is growing around a June 1 trade for A.J. Brown at the Philadelphia Eagles, a potential game-changer for the organization.
But while most anticipation is around who Vrabel will recruit, there is an eye on potential departures.
Stefon Diggs is a free agent, despite an impressive year overall in New England in 2025 – although it is not impossible that both parties reunite for next season. And another man who could be heading for the exit is Kayshon Boutte.
The 24-year-old has been working out away from the Patriots’ facility so far in the early buildup to the new campaign, while ESPN highlighted how new Patriots man Doubs publicly praised multiple other wide receivers for helping him settle at his new team, without mentioning Boutte.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte, 24, could be available for a trade
The Patriots signed Romeo Doubs in free agency and are expected to land A.J. Brown
Boutte registered 551 yards in 2025 and six touchdowns, playing as WR2 behind Diggs. He also clocked over 500 yards in 2024, when the Patriots struggled and finished 4-13.
Previously, the Chicago Bears have been linked with a move for Boutte and Ben Johnson does need to bolster his options at wide receiver
The Bears traded DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills earlier this year and while there is excitement in the team building about Luther Burden and Romeo Odunze stepping up, most agree that another addition is needed.
The Los Angeles Chargers are another team who some in the NFL think could move for a wide receiver.
They did, however, draft Brenan Thompson in the fourth round this year and have previously shut down rumors that Quentin Johnston would leave before exercising his fifth-year contract option.
Boutte is entering the final year of his rookie contract, with a base salary of around $3.6million.
