Had Kayshon Boutte remained on the Patriots' roster for Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks, he would have been inactive.
Head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that detail Thursday night, speaking for the first time since Boutte was traded to the Houston Texans on Monday.
"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 in Cleveland. "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."
As Vrabel noted, New England's wide receiver room is the deepest position on the roster, with A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams and Efton Chism. All six are expected to be on the team's 53-man roster.
The Patriots added both Brown and Doubs to the mix this offseason, pushing Boutte down the depth chart. Vrabel made sure to show appreciation for Boutte, as he often did throughout last season.

#boutte #doubs #depth

HL idea: Patriots' Wide Receiver Depth Made Kayshon Boutte Expendable For Trade
The New England Patriots found themselves in a rare position to trade one of their top receiving targets.
Since the late days of the Tom Brady era, the Patriots have struggled to build out their wide receiver room. Rectifying that has been one of Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf's top priorities since taking charge.
With the investments made into adding at the position, one of New England's standout receivers, Kayshon Boutte, fell in the depth chart. Although he turned in another solid season in 2025, the additions of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason meant the end of his time with the Patriots.
That became official on Monday, August 24, as the Patriots and Texans agreed to terms that sent Boutte to Houston in exchange for second-year safety Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round pick.

#wide #receiver

The New England Patriots made the inevitable decision to trade wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans on Monday, per NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the full details of the trade include the Texans sending a 2028 seventh-round draft pick and second-year safety Jaylen Reed to New England in exchange for Boutte. Reed has potential as a future defensive contributor, but he was mostly used on special teams by the Texans.
It had to be a tough decision for the Patriots considering Boutte was one of the rare wide receivers they've actually hit on in the draft. Last season, the former LSU wideout served as quarterback Drake Maye's top deep threat option, finishing the year with 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns.
There was hope those numbers would continue to climb in his fourth NFL season, but given the other additions, including veteran Romeo Doubs and three-time All-Pro wide receiver A.J. Brown, Boutte's snap count would have likely taken a significant hit.
This trade doesn't make the Patriots a better football team, but it does ensure that they get something in return for a player who was likely walking out the door for nothing in free agency next year. It also gives Boutte a better opportunity to raise his snap count and improve his regular season statistics to maximize the value of his next NFL contract.

#boutte #england #reed #decision

Let's get to the Philadelphia Eagles news and links …
Eagles-Patriots joint practices Day 2: Jalen Hurts finishes strong, Jalyx Hunt turns heads – PHLY
Throughout the first two full team periods, the pattern when the starters were on the field was consistent. When Drake Maye threw the ball, the Patriots moved the ball. When the Patriots ran the ball, the Eagles defensive line dominated. I counted one semi-successful run, which led to some light pushing and shoving when Nolan Smith took exception to Rhamondre Stevenson lowering his shoulder on Cooper DeJean. On one rep, Jalyx Hunt simply grabbed the ball from Stevenson's grasp in the backfield for an instant turnover. Talking with Patriots reporters after practice, their No. 1 takeaway was that Hunt looks like a superstar.
Patriots-Eagles joint practice recap: Defenses fight back on Day 2 – Pats Pulpit
Red zone woes: Improving in the red zone is an area of focus for the Patriots this season after struggling as a unit last year. On Thursday, the inconsistencies continued even though Drake Maye and Co. started strong with touchdowns to Mack Hollins and A.J. Brown on a contested catch over Quinyon Mitchell. From there, pressure became more of an issue and Maye was late targeting Brown along the goal line which led to a long pick-six by Riq Woolen. Maye's end-of-game drive then ended on one play as a slant to Brown was broken up with the ball popping up into the air and Jalyx Hunt recording an interception. The unit was given a second chance which ended better with a touchdown to Romeo Doubs. "Felt like we could have done more in the red zone," Maye said after practice. "That's something for us to learn. It's one of our focuses this year… so we got some work to do." […] Will Campbell and Caleb Lomu each split their 1-on-1 reps. Campbell continued to have some issues in pass pro against Jalyx Hunt, who is a breakout candidate for the Eagles this year, but did have a nice stunt pickup with Alijah Vera-Tucker to lead to Romeo Doubs' touchdown.
Eagles-Patriots Practice Notes: Jalen Hurts finishes strong, defense bounces back – BGN
Speaking of Jalyx Hunt, he produced two takeaways today. In addition to the pick, there was a rep where he simply stole the ball away from Rhamondre Stevenson's hands for an instant forced fumble and recovery. I love the aesthetic of that kind of play where the ball doesn't even touch the ground. Hunt is a beast. He's had an awesome summer.
Welcome to the NFC East Mixtape Feed! – SB Nation
As the 2026 NFL season draws near, SB Nation is launching a new discussion community focused on the sport's most historic division. The NFC East Mixtape Feed will be a spot for fans of the Commanders, Giants, Cowboys and Eagles to discuss the latest divisional news, share their takes about their favorite team and, of course, talk a little smack.

#Eagles #hunt #practice

The Houston Texans need a proven wide receiver after the season-ending injury suffered by second-year receiver Jayden Higgins.
Right now, there seems to be a clear option on the table and certainly a player looking for a bigger role.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, teams have reached out about acquiring veteran receiver Kayshon Boutte in exchange for a draft pick. Since the Texans now seem to be in the market, Rapoport believes that could be the dream destination.
Boutte, 24, had a promising season last year as the No. 2 target for Drake Maye en route to the Super Bowl. The LSU product caught 33 passes for 551 yards and a career-high 6 touchdowns, including a game-sealing touchdown reception in the divisional round playoff win over the Texans.
But the Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs in free agency and trades this offseason and gave each top money, so they're expected to be the new top two weapons opposite tight end Hunter Henry. This likely reduces Boutte's exposure in the offense and makes him a name worth dicussing via the trade markets.

#boutte #year

Ahead of joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles this week, Drake Maye turned on the film from two years ago.
During Maye's rookie season, the Eagles came to Foxboro for joint practices. With an Eagles team that went on to win the Super Bowl matching up against the Patriots team that fired their coach and won four games, the results were exactly what you expected.
"I was watching some of those plays earlier in the week. I was just laughing," Maye recalled. "I motioned somebody who was coming forward and snapped it, and then there was a penalty, and little things like that, that we were laughing about — just how far we have come."
Now as reigning AFC Champions, the Patriots held their ground with a competitive two days of practices. That included Drake Maye completing his first 13 passes in a row on Wednesday as his connection with A.J. Brown continues to grow.
On Thursday in the red zone, it was tougher sledder for Maye and the Patriots. The quarterback still found touchdowns to Mack Hollins, Brown, and Romeo Doubs, but clearly had a handful of plays he'd like back.

#maye #Eagles #practices #team

Patriots Reportedly Have 'Clear-Cut' WR2 Amid Kayshon Boutte Rumors originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's not crazy to say that the New England Patriots, if they decide to move on from Kayshon Boutte, could be moving on from their second-best wide receiver.
While some don't believe that, it's an interesting topic to follow. The idea of moving on isn't because the Patriots can't use him, but more so because they made some really impressive moves at the wide receiver position during the offseason, and other guys might be able to step up if he gets dealt.
According to the latest report, the WR2 spot already has an obvious candidate to win the job, and it's former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs.
Doubs was drafted in the fourth round with the 132nd pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by Green Bay and has impressed throughout the first four seasons of his career.

#wide #moving

When the New England Patriots took the Gillette Stadium fields on Tuesday for their joint session with the Indianapolis Colts, Christian Gonzalez was nowhere to be seen. The star cornerback did not make a late entry either; for the first time this training camp, he missed practice.
Gonzalez's absence comes in light of his ongoing contract negotiation with the Patriots. Naturally, it raised questions whether or not the two were related.
According to a report by Greg Bedard of the Boston Sports Journal, they were not. Gonzalez apparently sat out the session due to a "minor injury sustained at the end of Monday's practice."
The 24-year-old appeared to hurt his ankle during that particular session, trying to defend a touchdown pass from Drake Maye to Romeo Doubs. He did not receive any medical attention on the field and left the session with no obvious limitation.
Speculation nonetheless ran high on Tuesday, especially with Gonzalez seemingly throwing oil on the fire on social media later during the day:

#session #tuesday #england #stadium

Patriots' Drake Maye Gives Vote of Confidence to Keep Young Weapon in New England originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Relationships between quarterbacks and wide receivers are perhaps the most important thing for any successful NFL team.
Outside of above-average defenses, quarterbacks and wide receivers have to be on the same page. Fortunately for the New England Patriots, that's something they've attempted to continue building over the past few months. Landing AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, there's a lot of hope that both guys will star next to Drake Maye.
Maye already has receivers he's worked with for a few years, including Kayshon Boutte. The young receiver out of LSU has been with Maye throughout his career, and both seem to genuinely like each other. Speaking to reporters, Maye had a lot of good things to say about Boutte, who requested a trade during the offseason per reports.
"I think just the way Kayshon approaches it. He's here. He's here now," Maye said, per the Globe. "He's where his feet are at. I'm having fun throwing to him out there in practice. He's doing a great job, and he makes plays when the football is in the air. That speaks for itself. I've had a lot of great times with Kayshon, and I'm looking forward to keep getting better each and every day."

#maye #kayshon #boutte

New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel will have a tough decision on his hands at wide receiver when cutting the roster down to 53 players.
There are at least seven viable options at the position for the team to keep around.
A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are expected to be the top two players on the depth chart. If Kayshon Boutte hasn't been traded, he's arguably still the team's best deep-threat option. DeMario Douglas has worked with the starters as the top slot option, while Mack Hollins is the best blocking wide receiver and another viable deep threat. Efton Chism III is a rapidly improving slot option, and Kyle Williams is a 2025 third-round draft pick with blistering speed.
If it came down to it, Vrabel was asked if he would consider keeping all seven receivers on the roster.
"Sure," Vrabel told media members.

#vrabel #receiver #seven #best

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte has been building chemistry with quarterback Drake Maye this summer.
According to Sports Illustrated's Mike Kadlick, Boutte stated after a training camp practice this week that he has been forging chemistry with Maye on looks down the field.
"We work on it every day after practice," Boutte said regarding the deep-ball connection that he and Maye are furthering. "I usually just tell him, 'Throw the ball, and I'll get there.'"
Boutte was a reliable down-field threat for the Patriots in 2025. Maye, last season's AP NFL MVP runner-up and one of the best deep-ball throwers in the league, found the veteran receiver for many looks in 2025, including their connection on Boutte's spectacular one-handed catch against the Houston Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Boutte finished his third season with the Patriots with 33 receptions for 551 yards and six touchdowns. The Patriots will look to the former sixth-round pick to be a threat down the field again in 2026 in New England's upgraded offense that now includes A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs.

#practice

Where to watch Packers preseason games 2026: Full schedule, times, TV channels, live streams for Green Bay originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Packers kick off the 2026 preseason looking to erase the memory of an alarming late-season collapse. After starting 9-3-1 last year, Green Bay dropped five consecutive games to miss out on the postseason, including frustrating fourth-quarter blown leads against the division rival Bears.
Quarterback Jordan Love leads an explosive young core after the departures of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Head coach Matt LaFleur will have to lean on running back Josh Jacobs, receiver Christian Watson and 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden.
The Packers went defense-heavy in the 2026 NFL draft, selecting cornerback Brandon Cisse, defensive tackle Chris McClellan, and edge rusher Dani Dennis-Sutton in Rounds 2 through 4.
The hope for Green Bay is that edge rusher Micah Parsons can return earlier in the season, too, after his late-season ACL tear a year ago.

#sporting #year #leads

After one day without an audience, the New England Patriots returned to the fields behind Gillette Stadium on Tuesday for their ninth practice of training camp. The fans were treated to an entertaining session.
To recap it, please visit our Patriots training camp notebook. In the meantime, here is who caught our eye during the two-hour session.
The deep passing game: Kayshon Boutte, A.J. Brown and Mack Hollins, the biggest top-level receivers on New England's roster, made several big plays on Tuesday. Their stat lines show how involved they were: Boutte caught a team-leading five passes in team drills, followed by Brown and Hollins hauling in four receptions each.
Boutte did most of his damage against the second-string defense, and remains the factual WR4 behind Brown, Romeo Doubs and DeMario Douglas, but it is clear just how much trust both Drake Maye and Tommy DeVito have in him. He rewarded that trust with multiple downfield receptions on Tuesday — including in both QB's two-minute drill situations.
The same was true for Hollins, whose most notable play was a deep sideline shot from DeVito for what would have been a 40-plus-yard touchdown in a true game setting. Overall, the veteran has been productive the last two days and continues to be a key target in select situations.

#devito

TEAM TALK
Paul Perillo's Day 8 Blogservations: Competition heats up as dog days arrive in Foxborough.
Roster Move: Patriots sign DT Casey Rogers.
Press Conferences: Milton Williams, Kevin Byard, Will Campbell, Romeo Doubs, Dell Pettus, Lan Larison
Training Camp-Cast: Fourth padded practice in five days, Jacas full participant, Injury updates. (10 min. video)

#talk #paul

New England Patriots wide receiver Romeo Doubs has come up with his own way to memorize the team's offense this summer.
According to Sports Illustrated's Mike Kadlick, Doubs stated before the media on Monday that he uses flash cards to memorize plays.
"I do flash cards," Doubs said. "Sometimes I'll just take a photo of the concept and then just draw it up on my own. I just try to use my memory as much as I can so I don't play slow and can play fast."
Doubs signed with the Patriots in free agency during the offseason. He had a career-year in 2025 as a member of the Green Bay Packers, having recorded 724 receiving yards and six touchdowns on the season. Doubs helped the Packers reach the playoffs last season.
The 26-year-old Doubs is the Patriots' No. 2 option at wide receiver for next season. He will be expected to produce up to standard in that role behind three-time All-Pro wideout A.J. Brown.

#Patriots #play

For a third straight day, the New England Patriots put on their full pads on Saturday. Intensity was not as high as the last two days as several veterans were managed, but plenty of work still was done.
To recap the seventh practice of the summer, please make sure to head over to our Patriots training camp notebook. In the meantime, here is who caught our eye during the session.
WR Romeo Doubs: The $68 million man has seen a slow start to his Patriots' tenure on the practice fields. That flipped on Saturday as Doubs led all of Drake Maye's pass catchers with five targets and managed to haul in all of them during 7-on-7s and full-team work. The duo struck multiple times over the middle of the field a day after Doubs made an impressive grab in the end zone for a touchdown. Doubs' did appear to put the football on the ground at one point at the end of a play, but it was on overall positive practice for the 26-year old.
WR A.J. Brown: Doubs was not the only offseason addition to continue stacking strong days on Saturday, as A.J. Brown continued to look more in-sync with Drake Maye. Brown caught all three of his targets from Maye with his best work coming as he muscled a contested target away from Christian Gonzalez. The 29-year old receiver also added quick hitters on an out and slant before leaving practice early for what appeared to be rest related.
DBs Karon Prunty and Dell Pettus: New England's secondary got their hands on multiple footballs on Saturday, which began with safety Dell Pettus jumping in front of a pass from Drake Maye to Mack Hollins to record an interception. Shortly after, rookie cornerback Karon Prunty hauled in an interception of his own as he impressively tracked a deep ball from Tommy DeVito to Cameron Dorner.

#saturday

Patriots Preseason 2026: Top Storylines to Follow During Training Camp originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots opened training camp this week with a singular focus: capturing the seventh Super Bowl ******* le in franchise history.
Following a stellar 14-win campaign and an AFC Championship under Mike Vrabel in 2025, the Patriots enter the 2026 season with heightened expectations. Rather than standing pat, the front office aggressively upgraded the roster by acquiring star wideout A.J. Brown via trade, signing dynamic receiver Romeo Doubs, and reinforcing the trenches with Alijah Vera-Tucker.
The influx of high-end talent has solidified New England as a premier championship contender, but translating offseason paperwork into on-field execution begins now.
As players take the field at Gillette Stadium, we break down the most critical storylines defining the Patriots' preseason.

#england

After holding a lighter practice on Tuesday, the New England Patriots are expected to ramp back up the intensity for Day 4 of training camp on Tuesday.
The defense got the better of the offense during the last competitive team period, and quarterback Drake Maye threw his first interception of training camp on an intended pass to star wide receiver A.J. Brown. Safety Craig Woodson, who has continued to show significant growth as an NFL defensive back, came up with the takeaway.
All eyes will be on Maye and the offense to see how they bounce back against the stingy Patriots defense. Can the third-year quarterback finally get things clicking with Brown on the field? Will some of the other new faces, like wideout Romeo Doubs and tight end Eli Raridon make more of an impact?
Check back for live updates from practice.
Tuesday, July 28: 10:15-12:15 p.m. ET

#back #brown #practice #training

Whether Kayshon Boutte remains a New England Patriot or not, the 24-year-old wide receiver was present and accounted for at the start of training camp.
Boutte is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and there's still a chance that he winds up on the trade block at some point. His presence on the roster makes the team better, but it won't benefit him in the long run with his future contract tied to this season's production.
The best opportunity for Boutte would come in an offense where he'd see significant snaps and maximize his stat output. He won't have an opportunity to do that in New England, where A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs are expected to be the top receivers.
With that said, the Patriots aren't going to give Boutte away, either. NFL insider Albert Breer noted that he believed that the former LSU standout could have been had for a fifth-round draft pick during the 2026 NFL Draft. If that remains the case, a receiver-needy team could float the Patriots an offer at some point.
Until that happens, it looks like Boutte is in New England to stay.

#boutte #england #receiver #team

The New England Patriots are set to begin training camp on Saturday. Gates open at 9:15 a.m. ET, and practice starts at 10:15 a.m. ET.
Practices will be located on the upper grass fields directly behind Gillette Stadium. Attendance is completely free to the public, and general parking is also free during the public practice days. There will be 13 training camp dates in total for fans to watch live.
This will be the 24th consecutive year of the team hosting the camp at Gillette Stadium.
It will be the start of the Patriots' quest to get back to the Super Bowl after falling short against the Seattle Seahawks last season. They've made strides in improving the offense significantly by adding top talent in the offseason, like wide receiver A.J. Brown, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, guard Alijah Vera-Tucker and rookie offensive tackles, Caleb Lomu and Damtrious Crownover.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Patriots signed veteran All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, along with using their second-round draft pick on rookie Gabe Jacas. All eyes will be on the Patriots to see if the magical 2025 run was a fluke or if the team picks back up where it left off last season.

#Patriots #practice

The New England Patriots have ended their offseason program and now break until training camp later this month. While players are out of the facility, plenty remains to break down.
So, let's get into this week's #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What offensive and defensive positional groups is going to be the most fun to watch battle it out in camp? – mathblaster97
The talent and depth at wide receiver and defensive line will make those groups exciting to watch for me. A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs building their chemistry with Drake Maye while Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, Kayshon Boutte, DeMario Douglas, and Efton Chism III battle for their roles — as well as their potential futures in New England.
Then Milton Williams and Christian Barmore start year two together while Cory Durden, Leonard Taylor III, Joshua Farmer, Eric Gregory, Jeremiah Pharms, David Blay and Travis Shaw will be competing for depth roles.

The New England Patriots approach the 2026 NFL season as a stronger team on paper, with talent equipped to contend for the Super Bowl.
According to ESPN’s Mike Clay, Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder, the Patriots’ starting lineups on offense and defense were collectively ranked No. 7 overall in the league, with the team’s secondary being its biggest strength.
”Christian Gonzalez has emerged as one of the league's top young cornerbacks and is joined on the perimeter by veteran standout Carlton Davis III,” Clay said. “Marcus Jones has quickly developed into a standout in the slot. Craig Woodson was a terrific find in the fourth round of last year's draft and will be joined at safety by Jaylinn Hawkins' replacement, Kevin Byard, who continues to play at a high level at age 33.”
The Patriots also strengthened their receiving corps by trading for A.J. Brown and signing Romeo Doubs this offseason. Alijah Vera-Tucker adds strength to the Patriots’ offensive line while rookie Caleb Lomu provides depth at the tackle positions.
New England made up for their losses on defense in free agency with quality veteran stars and young talent in the draft. The Patriots appear poised to make another strong push for a Super Bowl crown in 2026 with the unit they’ve put together this offseason.

Most of the talk surrounding the New England Patriots has been about the wide receivers room. With the entire NFL world enamored by the arrival of A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, people are sleeping on the fact that the team still has one of the most potent offensive backfields in the league as well.
And it could be even better in 2026.
Training camp is around the corner, and we are going to begin previewing every position on the roster, while also mentioning some potential surprise players worth watching ahead of the 2026 season. We'll kick things off by taking a closer look at the Patriots' running back room.
Rhamondre Stevenson
TreVeyon Henderson

How many New England Patriots players are recognized among the most important players in the NFL for next season?
According to CBS Sports’ Zachary Pereles, Drake Maye, A.J. Brown, Will Campbell and Christian Gonzalez were all named as four of the top 100 most important players of the 2026 NFL season.
Maye was the runner-up for the 2025 AP NFL MVP award. He led the Patriots to the Super Bowl at the end of last season. Maye also threw for 4,394 passing yards and led the NFL in completion rate at 72 percent. With A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs added to an already strong receiving corps in New England, Maye will have more firepower to work with on offense to put together an even more excellent season in 2026, both individually and toward the team’s success.
Gonzalez was again recognized as one of the best cover corners in the league last season. He recorded 10 passes defensed on the year and was one of New England’s best performers in the playoffs. Gonzalez will walk into next season with more experience under his belt, as well as an equal level of support in the Patriots’ secondary, that will enable him to shine individually once more.
Campbell played well for much of his rookie season in 2025 before injuries took their toll down the stretch of the year. The LSU product struggled in the Super Bowl, allowing 14 total pressures in a forgettable performance. Nevertheless, he will be vital toward protecting Maye in the pocket next season at the most important position on the offensive line as a second-year veteran.

Much goes into an NFL offseason, and the New England Patriots made many moves to upgrade their roster and build upon the successful year that they had last season.
ESPN's Seth Walder recently posted offseason report card grades for all 32 NFL teams predicated around the full scope of decisions that each team made. The Patriots were given a "B-" for their moves, highlighted by their lauded trade for A.J. Brown , as well as their negotiations with Mike Onwenu to take a pay cut.
"The Patriots spent significant resources to address it, signing Romeo Doubs in free agency and dealing first- and fifth-round picks for Brown," Walder said. "The latter deal was a bit rich, but I can understand why they did it. I feel Brown -- even after a down 2025 season -- could be a serious **** et to the offense. He still can be one of the very best wide receivers in the NFL, and I would expect a production spike in a pass-heavy offense with a better passer in Drake Maye throwing to him."
Brown has been lauded by his teammates after being traded to the team on June 1. He is expected to be a force in the offense next season as the team's No. 1 receiver.
The Patriots did a commendable job replacing departing stars in free agency with like talent in the open market. New England addressed their need for more help on the offensive line head-on in this year's draft, with swing tackles Caleb Lomu, as well as Dametrious Crownover, the latter of whom has been lauded by Patriots VP of Player Personnel Ryan Cowden for his versatility and natural abilities as a pass protector.

LOCAL LINKS
Mike Reiss shares some quick-hit weekend thoughts: Will Christian Gonzalez’s extension get done before camp? Plus: Scotland calling, A.J. Brown **** ytics, More.
Steve Balestrieri’s Sunday Patriots News: Offseason deep dive, player spotlights, Romeo Doubs the X-Factor? Plus, comments on the CBS Sports piece that list the Pats having the 3rd-worst offseason; More.
Ethan Hurwitz identifies some burning questions ahead of training camp that the Patriots must answer. 1. What’s up with Gabe Jacas?
Khari Thompson‘s Patriots 2026 position preview: Wide receivers edition.

The New England Patriots are a deep team.
They added several marquee players to their roster this offseason. New England maintained the strength of their front four and their secondary by replacing the departing K'Lavon Chaisson and Jaylinn Hawkins with Dre'Mont Jones and Kevin Byard. They also made many improvements to their offensive line, but their offensive weapons around quarterback Drake Maye are the best they've been since he entered the league.
According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell in his ranking of the NFL's wide receiver, tight end and running back groups of playmakers for next season, the Patriots' unit ranks No. 10 in the league.
"The top 10 starts with the Patriots, who added an elite receiver to the mix after trading for A.J. Brown this summer," Barnwell said. "Brown left Philadelphia after a frustrating 2025 season, but there's still plenty of evidence that Brown is one of the top wideouts in all of football. … While there's a drop-off from Brown to the rest of the lineup, the Patriots are much deeper than they've been in years."
Brown and Doubs are one of the best wide receiver duos in the league, with upside that might potentially be getting overlooked for next season. Henderson and Stevenson are two running backs who have the capability to rush for 1,000 yards, and the addition of rookie tight end Eli Raridon gives New England a good replacement for Austin Hooper behind Hunter Henry for next season.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye has yet to throw for 400 yards in a game in his career to date, but he will have as good a chance as he's had yet to do so in 2026.
Maye threw for 4,394 yards in 2025, but the most yards he threw for in a single game was 380 yards in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. He did not record more than 294 yards in any other game of the season.
The UNC product had a season-high of 282 passing yards in 2024 as a rookie, making the 300-yard feat one that was a notable achievement for him last season. However, with A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs as his two go-to options at wide receiver for next season, the potential for him to hit that marker is strong.
Brown went for 1,000-yards receiving for the sixth time in his career in 2025 with 1,003 receiving yards, and Doubs went for 724 yards. Both are capable of stretching the field, and in the case of Brown, racking up yards after the catch. Not only that, but Hunter Henry is still in New England, as are Mack Hollins and Kayshon Boutte, giving Maye five options to spread the ball around to in the passing game next season.
If Maye can reach the mark, it's reasonable to envision the 23-year-old achieving the feat in Week 2 of next season against the Pittsburgh Steelers or in either of the Patriots' matchups against the Miami Dolphins in Week 8 or Week 18. The Steelers allowed the third-most passing yards in the NFL in 2025 with 4,437 yards, while the Dolphins allowed the highest completion rate to opposing quarterbacks at 72 percent.

Three-Team Trade Idea Involving Shedeur Sanders Would Bring Another Star Receiver To Patriots originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots already made a trade for a star receiver this offseason, but a new trade idea from Bleacher Report would net them another one.
The Patriots moved on from Stefon Diggs to sign Romeo Doubs and acquire A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles. They have a crowded receiver room right now, and Kayshon Boutte's name is being tossed around in trade rumors. He has noted that he wants to be in New England, but it does not change the fact that he's in a contract year, and targets will be tougher to come by this season in New England.
Three-team trades in the NFL are rare, but not impossible. Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox proposed this three-team trade between the Patriots, Cleveland Browns and Arizona Cardinals that would move Boutte, but surprisingly bring another wide receiver to New England:
Patriots receive: wide receiver Michael Wilson

Chiefs, Raiders floated as landing spots for dynamic 78-catch wide receiver originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots fell short in the Super Bowl last season, but they have hopes of getting back and winning it in 2026.
As a result, the team has made some big changes this offseason. The wide receiver position, in particular, has seen some changes, with Romeo Doubs being added in free agency and A.J. Brown was added via trade. Kyle Williams, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas are all still around as well, so the room is crowded.
This has led to Kayshon Boutte being frequently mentioned in trade rumors. Boutte was productive in 2025, and several teams could use better depth. Now, it seems like two divisional rivals could be fighting for the LSU product.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox recently listed the best trade candidates, and Boutte made the list. Regarding possible destinations, Knox thinks the Chiefs and Raiders both make a ton of sense.