Two days after coach Mike Vrabel bluntly declared that he didn’t think his New England Patriots had “a very deep team,” the franchise traded wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans in a deal that lands New England Jaylen Reed, who will provide safety depth, and a 2028 seventh-round pick, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly about the move.
Boutte had 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns last season in New England and was one of quarterback Drake Maye’s more reliable targets, especially on deep balls.
Boutte’s frustration with the Patriots was apparent all offseason. After the team traded for A.J. Brown and added Romeo Doubs in free agency, Boutte skipped voluntary spring practices and, as he said in June, noted that he wanted what was best for himself, “whether it’s here or somewhere else.”
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His grievance stemmed from how his role was taking shape in a contract year. In Boutte’s estimation, he had done everything the Patriots had asked, playing for three different head coaches in three years since being drafted in the sixth round, while improving each year. That culminated in him being one of the league’s top deep threats last season.
But his reward was a diminished role. Boutte’s playing time was projected to dip. That’s why the trade rumors started.
From the Patriots’ perspective, they didn’t want to move Boutte unless the return would help them — and their Super Bowl aspirations — this season. After Vrabel’s comments on Saturday, it’s clear they felt roster help was needed.
The Patriots like their starting safety duo of Craig Woodson and Kevin Byard, but Reed adds depth at the position and can contribute on special teams.
The Texans, meanwhile, get meaningful wide receiver help one week after second-year receiver Jayden Higgins suffered a season-ending ACL tear. Veteran Tank Dell has also missed practices during training camp and has yet to play in a Texans preseason game while making his way back from a major knee injury last season. Boutte gives Houston an outside wide receiver who excels at winning deep, and they didn’t have to give up much for him, considering Boutte has only one year left under contract.
The Patriots also felt they could afford parting with Boutte because of their wide receiver depth. It seems safe to say they already have six wide receivers who will make the 53-man roster, and keeping Boutte would’ve meant trying to fit seven receivers.
Instead, the Texans addressed one of their biggest needs, while the Patriots added depth and a draft pick, also freeing a player who was frustrated with his situation.