EAGAN, Minn. — It was only a joint practice against the Vikings, but Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte continued his streak of making plays in pivotal moments Thursday to cap off full team drills.
Boutte has emerged as a big-play threat for Drake Maye this summer, earning the QB’s trust by making contested, acrobatic catches in the end zone.
The Patriots were in a two-minute drill late in Thursday’s practice against the Vikings. In their specific situation, they were trailing by six points with just eight seconds left on the clock. Maye dropped back and tossed a 40-yard pass to Boutte, who leaped over safety Josh Metellus and cornerback Isaiah Rodgers for the touchdown grab.
Climb the ladder @KayshonBoutte1 🪜 pic.twitter.com/7Q2m0BleJy
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) August 14, 2025
“Exciting, man,” wide receiver DeMario Douglas said of the play. “We’re playing to the last tick of the clock, and shoutout to Boutte and Drake for connecting on that play.”
“That was dope, especially the finish on that,” right guard Mike Onwenu added. “A jump ball like that over two people. That’s a head tap, for sure.”
The Patriots’ entire offense celebrated with Boutte in the end zone after the play. Wide receiver Mack Hollins was critical of his Patriots teammates Wednesday for not joining players in the end zone after big plays.
Otherwise, it was not a banner day for the Patriots on either side of the ball. The Patriots’ offensive line struggled to protect Maye, and their wide receivers were having a difficult time gaining separation. That led to an influx of scrambling from Patriots QBs. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy also carved through the Patriots’ defense Thursday.
Originally Published: August 14, 2025 at 4:59 PM EDT