The Patriots made a trade. The team sent standout wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick.
Boutte, who reportedly requested a trade earlier this offseason, was in a crowded wide receiver room that would have seen him take fewer snaps than he desired. It made all the sense in the world for Boutte to get moved, as the fourth-year wide receiver is heading into a contract year.
Following the loss of Jayden Higgins, the Texans seemed like an ideal target for Boutte. The team reportedly called the Patriots about Boutte as early as a week ago.
The return was nothing spectacular, as a seventh-round pick in 2028 is most likely going to be a player who does not contribute to the team, and Reed, the main part of the trade, appeared in only nine games for the Texans last season. The 2025 sixth-round pick had 14 combined tackles and a fumble recovery last season for Houston.
However, in his final year at Penn State, Reed broke out, collecting 98 total tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and three interceptions. The potential is there, but has not been had at the NFL level to this point.
Boutte was a fan favorite in New England and will always be remembered for his contributions to the 2025 Super Bowl team, but with the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs his time in New England had run out.