Despite the criticism surrounding the New England Patriots wide receiver room in recent years, they have had one target who has truly emerged as a weapon.
Despite a slower rookie season, where he didn’t get many opportunities to play, Kayshon Boutte truly stepped up in his second year, appearing in 15 games and finishing with 43 receptions for 589 yards and three touchdowns. Then, last year, he became the Patriots’ top deep ball threat, finishing with 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns.
So now, entering his fourth season, which also happens to be a contract year, Boutte is one to watch in the trade market.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reports that Boutte’s name has “come up in trade talks,” especially since the Patriots brought in Romeo Doubs.
NFL Insider Says A.J. Brown to the Patriots Is Likely
GettyA.J. Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles
While there’s been a lot of speculation about A.J. Brown’s future and whether or not he will end up in New England, one insider is now providing a MAJOR update.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Philadelphia Eagles “remain open to trading AJ Brown,” and the Patriots are “highly interested in acquiring the star receiver.” While conversations stalled due to the 2026 NFL Draft, they are “acquiring the star receiver, and conversations are expected to resume shortly on or before June 1,” with Schefter adding that it will “likely” result in a deal.
“As one source said about the Patriots’ pursuit of Brown, they’ll ‘definitely be engaging then,’ Schefter added.
While he points out that other teams could emerge in the trade discussions, “multiple sources say they believe Brown and the Patriots are likely to become a tandem.”
The decision to wait until June 1 is tied to money, as the Eagles would take on a decent “dead money” hit to their salary cap this year if they trade him before that deadline. However, if it’s done after, the team can spread the $43.5 million hit over two seasons.
Schefter also added that Philadelphia is “not concerned about adding draft capital for this week’s draft,” but is more excited about the possibility of “acquiring additional picks in 2027 and 2028.”
A.J. Brown. Is Not Set To Attend Eagles’ Voluntary Offseason Program
GettyESPN’s Adam Schefter reported the Philadelphia Eagles
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, A.J. Brown is not set to attend the Eagles’ offseason workout program as “he awaits clarity on his future.”
“There’s nothing mandatory before June 1, when trade talks with the Patriots and perhaps others likely resume,” Garafolo added.
And with that, Ian Rapoport also recently detailed the timeline for Brown.
“This is not a situation of teams saying, ‘The draft is coming. I’ve got to get my trade because I’ve got to get the picks.’ Or, ‘Okay, it’s not going to be this draft so I’m going to wait until right before the season because it’s going to be next year’s draft picks that are going to be traded.’ No. This is one where a trade, if it is going to happen, and certainly, there is a lot of evidence that eventually it is, would have to happen after June 1st,” Rapoport said.
“Because of the salary cap ramifications for the Eagles. It cuts the dead cap money in half, and the fact that the picks that you would be looking for would be 2027 draft picks, which is considered by many to most people to be a better draft, a deeper draft, and that probably is what the Eagles would want anyway.”
Patriots Top Weapon Named As Potential Trade Candidate After A.J. Brown News