Mike Vrabel’s Parting Words For Ex-Patriots Receiver Were Brutally Honest

Mike Vrabel’s Parting Words For Ex-Patriots Receiver Were Brutally Honest

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Mike Vrabel’s Parting Words For Ex-Patriots Receiver Were Brutally Honest
Kayshon Boutte

Mike Vrabel’s Parting Words For Ex-Patriots Receiver Were Brutally Honest originally appeared on NESN.
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Mike Vrabel managed to praise Kayshon Boutte while also delivering one final reminder of why the New England Patriots traded him.

The Patriots sent Boutte to the Houston Texans on Monday in exchange for safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick. After New England concluded its preseason with a 37-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, Vrabel revealed just how far the receiver had fallen in the team’s plans.

According to Vrabel, Boutte likely would have been a healthy scratch if he remained with the Patriots.

“That was one place where we do have some depth, and I think for all parties involved, that was probably the best thing,” Vrabel told reporters. “Without injuries, Kayshon probably would have been inactive. Unfortunately, it just, it’s kind of the way it was. It’s just with him not playing special teams.”

That was a remarkably blunt assessment of a player who caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high six touchdowns last season. Boutte averaged 16.7 yards per reception, the fourth-best mark in the NFL, and had established himself as one of Drake Maye’s most dangerous downfield targets.

None of it was enough to guarantee Boutte a uniform in Week 1.

MORE: Drake Maye Reveals ‘Coolest’ Part Of Patriots’ Super Bowl Season

Patriots’ Receiver Overhaul Left Boutte Without A Role

New England rebuilt its receiving corps by acquiring A.J. Brown and signing Romeo Doubs. DeMario Douglas remained the leading option in the slot, while Mack Hollins offered considerable value as a blocker and special teams contributor.

Then Kyle Williams forced the issue. Williams caught six passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns during the preseason, finding the end zone in all three games. Efton Chism III also made a strong roster push, leaving Boutte caught in an increasingly crowded room.

Boutte revealed after the trade that he requested to leave New England in March. Vrabel still credited the 24-year-old for the way he handled an uncomfortable summer.

“I tried to thank Kayshon as many times as I could. I texted him again today,” Vrabel said. “It’s just his maturity, his growth, his ability to put into words last year and share his own personal struggle, but also the growth that he made from that. That’s positively going to affect a lot of people.”

Those were warm parting words, but Vrabel did not soften the football truth. Boutte could produce as a receiver, yet New England had better fits above him and needed its reserves to contribute on special teams.

Instead of keeping Boutte around as weekly insurance, the Patriots found him a possible opportunity in Houston and added a safety who can help in the kicking game.

It was respectful, direct and unsentimental. In other words, it was classic Vrabel.

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