Earlier this offseason, trade rumors were swirling around New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.

Amid the Patriots’ reported pursuit of a trade for Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, and after the team signed fellow wideout Romeo Doubs in free agency, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported that teams believed Boutte could be available via trade.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer then went on to report that New England was apparently looking for a Day 3 pick for Boutte.

That never came to fruition and instead Boutte remains with the team.

However, comments made by Doubs are giving new life to the idea that Boutte could be traded.

According to ESPN’s Mike Reiss, Doubs revealed that four different Patriots receivers have helped him get acclimated to the new playbook.

Boutte was not among the players Doubs listed. That’s because Boutte has been working out away from the team this offseason.

“Free agent signee Romeo Doubs highlighted Mack Hollins, DeMario ‘Pop’ Douglas, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism III as receivers who have helped him acclimate to the Patriots’ system through the first four weeks of the voluntary offseason program,” Reiss wrote.

“It caught the ear that Kayshon Boutte wasn’t included as he has been working out away from the facility,” Reiss added.

Boutte is not officially holding out or anything like that, and he isn’t required to join the team until mandatory minicamp next month.

But his absence for an important offseason event like OTAs (Organized Team Activities), even though it isn’t mandatory, would no doubt turn heads.

New England takes part in OTAs starting on May 27.

Why New England Patriots could trade Boutte

Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The expectation is the New England Patriots are going to acquire Brown in a trade after June 1, which would give the team the No. 1 wide receiver it desperately needs.

That trade, combined with the signing of Doubs, gives the Patriots a fantastic one-two punch for quarterback Drake Maye.

But that also sends Boutte down the depth chart after he was the Pats’ No. 2 receiver behind Stefon Diggs, who is no longer with the team, in 2025.

Boutte posted another strong season with over 500 yards through the air.

The Pats are also reportedly high on second-year wideout and 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams, so giving him a push would further hurt Boutte’s chances of having a big role.

All of this makes Boutte expendable and the Pats would be wise to strike while the iron is hot following two strong seasons from the former sixth-round pick.