Patriots WR Admits Concerns Amid AJ Brown Trade
The New England Patriots upgraded their wide receiver corps this offseason by signing Romeo Doubs in free agency and trading with the Philadelphia Eagles for A.J. Brown.
The addition of Doubs and Brown will give quarterback Drake Maye the best receivers he's worked with during his first three seasons in the league. Maye relied on Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte as the Patriots made a run to the Super Bowl in February.
New England released Diggs before the start of free agency. Amid questions about Boutte's future with the Patriots, the 2023 sixth-round pick decided to be a participant at voluntary OTAs this spring.
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During an appearance with Dan Roche of WBZ, Boutte said he'd return to the Patriots for mandatory minicamp in June. He decided to skip OTAs this spring because he was "trying to figure out everything" while there were concerns about his future and that he could be traded this offseason.
“Just a lot of speculation going on," Diggs said, via a transcription from NFL Media. "Just trying to figure out everything. I try not to buy into [things], whether it’s the trade rumors or anything like that. But I’m still working even though I’m away. That’s my focus.”
Boutte called Boston "my life" and said he's committed to the Patriots and would like to stay with the team through the rest of his career. Even with added competition at receiver, Boutte praised New England for trading for Brown.
“That was a good pickup, man. He (Brown) is a great dude,” Boutte said. “You watch him play. He dominates. Great X receiver, dominant. Whether it’s a deep ball, short route, he can catch a slant, take it to the house.
"Big, big body. Contested catches. You know, you watch those guys. I’m an X receiver, too, so I sit there and kind of watch his tape. That's a guy you see who constantly wins one-on-ones.”
It remains to be seen what the Patriots will do with Boutte this offseason. After releasing Diggs, New England might keep a receiver Maye has a history with during the upcoming season.
However, the Patriots should consider trading Boutte after upgrading the receiver position so the team can add draft capital to improve positions of need on other parts of the roster.
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 1:13 PM.