New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel doesn't have any regrets about his decision to rest the starters during the three-game preseason slate.
However, it was clear that the team showed rust in Wednesday's 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Vrabel opted to use the preseason to focus on the roster depth and preserve the health of the starters.
That's a decision that he continued to defend after the disappointing loss in the season opener.
"Playing the backups for the Eagles or the Colts for eight plays, I don't think was going to prepare us for what we saw last night," Vrabel told media members. "I thought we handled the environment; I thought we did. I know the execution wasn't good enough, but the line of scrimmage, penalties, the operation, those things gave us a chance. Some other things didn't give us a chance."
Mike Vrabel on if he regrets not playing any Patriots starters in the preseason.

"Playing the backups of the Eagles or Colts for eight plays I don't think was going to prepare us for what we saw last night." pic.twitter.com/L1efdmrmsk

#starters #colts #regrets

NFL star Aaron Rodgers did not mince words when he slammed ESPN over its lack of coverage of former journalist Dianna Russini's alleged affair with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
"I also said you're a gutless organization because they haven't said anything," Rodgers, 42, said during his Thursday, September 10, appearance on the Not Just Football with Cam Heyward show. "They spend so much time on certain issues but you won't talk one second on the Dianna Russini situation."
The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback went on to explain that ESPN reported on San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York's prostitution scandal on the front page of its website, but failed to acknowledge the scandal involving Russini, 43, and Vrabel, 51.
"They will rotate the eight stories or whatever they have but they usually have like the one story that's featured," Rodgers continued. "That was the featured story. So you bring in how many millions of eyes to that situation. Why do you want to throw Jed York under the bus? I don't know. But does that have the same effect as a reporter who's, you know, has intimate relations with a coach, who has a vote for MVP, has a vote for coach of the year. I don't know if she's on the Hall of Fame [voting committee] or not but there's voting stuff."
JPA/AFF-USA.com / MEGA; Eric Canha/Cal Sport Media/Newscom/The Mega Agency

#know #espn

Patriots news: Dre'Mont Jones grabs attention with NSFW shot at Seahawks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Dre'Mont Jones made sure New England Patriots fans had something to talk about. That's even after a brutal opening-night defeat to his former team. Following the Patriots' 13-10 Week 1 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Jones took to Instagram. He posted an in-game photograph of himself driving Seattle QB Sam Darnold into the turf. The outside linebacker made the message unmistakable by tagging an account handle reading @f***_the_seahawks in the bottom-right corner of the post. The NSFW jab quickly spread across social media.
Jones spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons with Seattle after signing a three-year contract. However, his tenure ultimately ended with friction before he landed in New England. Now a key piece of Mike Vrabel's Patriots defense, Jones appears to have plenty of unfinished business with his former team. His latest post made that abundantly clear.
The Patriots' 0–1 start already carries plenty of frustration. New England's defense dominated for much of the opener. They limited Seattle and knocked Darnold from the game. However, the offense collapsed late as Drake Maye threw three second-half interceptions. The Patriots also lost prized wide receiver AJ Brown to an ankle injury. That added another concern to an otherwise highly anticipated campaign. With Christian Gonzalez recently securing a record-setting four-year extension, expectations remain high in Foxborough. New England now gets an extended mini-bye before hosting the Pittsburgh Steelers. Meanwhile, Jones has added another spark to a rivalry that suddenly feels far from settled.
Related: Patriots add former Bills defensive lineman on $6 million contract

#former #dre 'mont #nsfw

Former Tennessee ***** ans wide receiver A.J. Brown avoided the worst of news after having his Patriots debut cut short due to injury.
According to a report from NFL Network, Brown is believed to have a high ankle sprain after X-rays came back negative for a fracture. Brown reportedly has an MRI scheduled for Sept. 10, which will reveal a timetable for his return.
Brown exited with a right ankle injury early in the third quarter of the Patriots' NFL opener, a 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9, after Nehemiah Pritchett landed on Brown's leg while defending a play. Brown initially remained on the sideline before entering the medical tent and later limping into the locker room.
More: Our NFL predictions are in — can ***** ans shake up AFC South hierarchy?
The Boston Herald later reported Brown left the stadium with a boot on his right foot. Brown had caught three passes for 26 yards in what was his first game reunited with former ***** ans coach Mike Vrabel in New England.

#sept

Though Patriots quarterback Drake Maye's poor fourth quarter downed the Patriots in Wednesday's season-opener against the Seahawks, head coach Mike Vrabel expressed confidence that the young signal-caller will be better going forward.
While Maye's decision-making, timing, and accuracy may have been issues for his first two picks in the fourth quarter, his third was the most troubling given the game situation. Vrabel noted that before the fateful interception, the situation had been detailed to Maye by the coaching staff.
"If it's there, obviously we want to try to be aggressive," Vrabel said. "But if not, we're not losing any yards. And certainly don't want to give them a chance to make a play. So, that was the conversation that went in."
"Everything in the passing game is built on timing, built on protection," Vrabel added "And so, again, if it's not where you want it, in the timing of that particular play, and protection — just have to throw it away and say, 'Can't win it on this throw.' Drake will learn from it. We'll all learn from it. And, hopefully, we'll be better for it in the end."
Vrabel noted that the Patriots have seen Maye make good decisions with the football and feel like that will continue in the future.

#vrabel #Patriots #want #better

Mike Vrabel Stands By Patriots' Preseason Decision After Week 1 Loss originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Mike Vrabel is not second-guessing how he prepared the New England Patriots for their season opener. The Patriots rested their starters throughout the preseason, creating questions about whether the lack of live game action contributed to Wednesday night's 13-10 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Vrabel firmly rejected that suggestion Thursday.
"Playing the backups for the Eagles or the Colts, I don't think was going to prepare us for what we saw last night," Vrabel said, according to NBC Sports Boston's Phil Perry.
The Patriots were not overwhelmed physically by Seattle. They led the defending Super Bowl champions 10-0 through three quarters and were in position to win despite losing star receiver A.J. Brown to an ankle injury. Everything changed during the final 15 minutes.

#nesn #week

NFL Expert Predicts Patriots Regression After Super Bowl Run originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots transformed themselves from a rebuilding team into the AFC champion during Mike Vrabel's first season as head coach.
One national NFL expert does not expect them to reproduce that success in 2026.
Sporting News' Vinnie Iyer predicted New England will finish 10-7, surrender the AFC East to the Buffalo Bills and exit the playoffs in the divisional round.
That outcome would still represent a strong season for a team led by 24-year-old quarterback Drake Maye. It also would feel disappointing after the Patriots came within one victory of winning another Super Bowl.

#super #bowl #england #predicts

The New England Patriots rewarded cornerback Christian Gonzalez with a massive four-year, $135 million deal on the eve of their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks, according to multiple reports. Just last week Gonzalez didn't commit to playing against Seattle as he sought a new deal, so now both parties are satisfied as they enter 2026 with Super Bowl expectations.
Gonzalez, 24, is entering his fourth NFL season after earning his first Pro Bowl nod in 2025. While he's not a big turnover producer with three career interceptions, Gonzalez is physical and moves fluidly at 6-foot-1, locking down half the field for Mike Vrabel's defense.
This deal comes three weeks after Seattle made Devon Witherspoon the NFL's highest-paid cornerback. Witherspoon didn't hold the crown for long, as Gonzalez now has the largest contract at the position.
Here's a look at some of the other biggest cornerback contracts.
(Total value)

#gonzalez #cornerback #three

The New England Patriots have plenty of questions to answer before the season opener; however, one of them is hiding in plain sight. Who actually wants the kickoff return job?
Special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer is not ready to give anyone the ***** le. The Patriots have several players capable of handling returns, and Springer made it clear that the final decision could come down to something as simple as who is active on game day.
Aug 13, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel watches from the sideline during the second half against the Indianapolis Colts at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Springer was asked about the Patriots' kickoff returner and refused to put a name on it. Instead, he pointed to the number of options on the roster and said the decision will depend partly on the active list each week. That keeps one of the team's special-teams jobs unsettled heading into the regular season.
That answer is pretty telling. The Patriots are not necessarily looking for one player to handle every kickoff. With roster spots changing from week to week, the Patriots can afford to keep the competition open and choose from multiple return-capable players depending on the matchup and overall game-day personnel.

#Patriots #springer

The New England Patriots are still trying to find a resolution to Christian Gonzalez's contract situation before the NFL season begins, and head coach Mike Vrabel is making it clear that he wants to help get a deal done.
However, Vrabel also understands that there is a line he cannot cross when it comes to negotiations between the Patriots and their star cornerback. With the regular season opener against the Seattle Seahawks just days away, the situation has become increasingly important for New England.
MORE: Previewing all 16 NFC teams & predicting every record in 2026
Aug 22, 2026; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel in the second quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Edward Finan-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Vrabel was asked Saturday whether he would give his input to the Patriots' front office or "go to bat" for Gonzalez during the contract negotiations.

#vrabel

A.J. Brown did not have to wait long to find out how Mike Vrabel was going to handle him in the New England Patriots. The head coach made that clear in one of their first team meetings, and Brown quickly learned that his reputation was not going to buy him much patience.
That probably is not a bad thing for a receiver; the Patriots just made one of its biggest investments in. Brown arrived with a proven track record and big expectations; however, Vrabel has already shown he's willing to get on him when a play isn't finished the way it should be.
Jun 10, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel holds a press conference before minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Vrabel did not waste much time reminding Brown why the Patriots brought him to New England. During one of Brown's first team meetings with the Patriots, Vrabel called out the veteran receiver after a missed opportunity in practice. It was not some dramatic confrontation but Vrabel making it clear that Brown is going to be held to the same standard as everyone else, maybe an even higher one.
"A.J., obviously those are plays we expect, that you expect. This is why we signed up to be together, okay? For you to make those types of plays. Yeah, we all know that.

#brown #going #head #coach

Mike Vrabel Reveals Most Important Drake Maye Change Since Super Bowl originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Drake Maye's physical talent has never been difficult to identify.
The New England Patriots quarterback can attack every part of the field, create outside the pocket and turn a collapsing play into a significant gain. Those traits helped Maye develop into an MVP candidate and carry New England to the Super Bowl last season. Mike Vrabel, however, believes Maye's most important growth has occurred in areas that are much harder to see.
The Patriots head coach was asked Thursday to identify the biggest difference between the quarterback who walked off the field following New England's Super Bowl loss and the one preparing to face the Seattle Seahawks again.
Vrabel's answer focused on three qualities.

#maye #nesn #england #important

Dianna Russini stayed quiet for months while an internal review dug through nearly three years of her work. That silence ended Thursday, the same day the results came out.
The Athletic released its inquiry into former NFL insider Dianna Russini's undisclosed relationship with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on Sept. 3. The review concluded Russini was "noncompliant" with the publication's standards. Mike Semel, The Athletic's editorial director for standards and editorial quality, spent nearly five months examining more than 900 stories and 77 videos tied to Russini.
MORE: Printable one-page fantasy football rankings cheat sheets for PPR, half-PPR, standard, superflex leagues
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (22) is interviewed by Dianna Russini after the game against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Russini declined to sit for an interview with Semel during the review. She broke her silence Thursday through a statement given to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic.

#mike #semel #months

Diana Russini is reportedly getting ready to come back to the world of sports media and the NFL. As per the rumours, Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports are leading the race to acquire her services.
NFL insider Diana Russini was involved in quite a big scandal after questions were raised about her relationship with former Tennessee ***** ans and current New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel.
Russini was working as a senior NFL reporter for The Athletic when the story broke. She was let go in the aftermath, and an internal investigation found there had been a 'clear violation' of company standards.
However, a romantic relationship was not confirmed by the investigation either. And now it seems Russini is planning a comeback, with a popular media figure among the frontrunners to help her make it happen.
Photo by Thomas Campbell/XFL via Getty Images

#diana #Media

In each of the past two seasons, Kayshon Boutte ranked second in receiving yards among Patriots wideouts and first or tied for first in receiving touchdowns. His reward? A trade to Houston.
The Patriots traded for A.J. Brown in the offseason, signed free agent Romeo Doubs and brought back DeMario Douglas, Kyle Williams and Mack Hollins. That left Boutte as the odd receiver out, and Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said in explaining the trade that Boutte "probably would have been inactive" on game days if he had remained in New England.
Boutte responded Thursday.
"They did pay two guys to come in and do that job," Boutte said, via Timothy Rapp of the Bleacher Report. "Sadly, it is the way it is. Being that it's a contract year for me, I [sought] a bigger role. I feel like what Vrabes said in his media interview, it wasn't nothing bad. I wouldn't say I'll use that as fuel. . . . It was an honest opinion. He sat there, talked, [spoke] his truth, and [we'll] pretty much move forward from it."
The Texans needed a receiver after losing Jayden Higgins to a season-ending torn ACL last month. Boutte, who has 76 receptions for 1,140 yards and nine touchdowns over the past two seasons, joins Nico Collins, Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Jared Wayne in the wide receivers room.

#seasons

Sept. 3 (UPI) -- An investigation by The Athletic determined that former reporter Dianna Russini violated newsroom standards through her relationship with New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel, the outlet said Thursday.
The Athletic published the findings of the nearly five-month investigation under the headline: "Standards review of Dianna Russini's coverage for The Athletic."
Russini resigned from The New York Times Co.-owned outlet and was released from her contract April 14. The former senior insider for the NFL had taken the job role in August 2023.
The investigation, conducted by The Athletic's editorial director for standards and editorial quality Mike Semel, included a review of 903 stories and 77 videos published on the outlet's website.
It also included an examination of 204 episodes of the Scoop City podcast, which Russini co-hosted, and additional off-platform appearances she made while representing The Athletic.

#investigation

The Athletic has determined that former NFL reporter Dianna Russini violated newsroom standards with her relationship with Mike Vrabel, the head coach of the New England Patriots.
On Thursday, The New York Times-owned Athletic released the findings of the newspaper's internal investigation into 51-year-old Vrabel and 43-year-old Russini's relationship.
Conducted by Mike Semel, an editorial director for standards and quality at The Athletic, the report comes after Russini resigned from her role in April following outrage over pictures that emerged of her and Vrabel — who are both married to other people — hugging and holding hands.
Although the review concluded that Russini violated her workplace's conflict-of-interest rules by not disclosing her relationship with the coach, Semel did not find any inaccuracies in her reporting about Vrabel or his teams. He reviewed 903 articles, 204 podcast episodes, and 77 videos, and conducted 14 interviews with staffers at the paper before coming to a conclusion.
"Russini's relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic's standards," the report said. "Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."

#relationship #russini #semel

The Athletic's internal investigation found that the relationship between former NFL reporter Dianna Russini and New England Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was in "clear violation" of the newsroom's standards.
The outlet, which is owned by the New York Times, released a report Thursday detailing the findings of a five-months-long investigation. Mike Semel, the Athletic's editorial director for standards and quality, wrote that he was unable to find signs of clear bias or determine the exact "nature of their relationship", but said it gave the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Related: NFL reporter Russini resigns amid 'self-feeding speculation' over photos with Patriots' Vrabel
"Russini's relationship with Vrabel was in clear violation of The Athletic's standards," Semel wrote. "Regardless of whether the relationship was romantic, it was a breach and should have been disclosed."
"I've not found a clear link to conclude that Russini used her platform to help promote Vrabel or help his teams during her time at The Athletic. That said, there are examples of Russini writing glowingly of Vrabel that in hindsight are awkward or even uncomfortable," he added.

#found

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel admitted to concerns about his team's depth following their preseason finale.
The Patriots relied heavily on backups throughout the preseason, hoping to build depth and uncover hidden contributors. After the run game struggled, Vrabel and his front office looked outside the building for running back depth.
On August 29, the Patriots traded for Arizona Cardinals second-year running back Corey Kiner. With roster cutdowns complete, Kiner is one of three remaining running backs on New England's active roster.
Although Kiner's NFL experience is limited, the film shows promise as a physical back who can help keep the Patriots on schedule in 2026.
The Patriots are acquiring RB Corey Kiner in exchange for a ‘28 7th round pick, per AdamSchefter.

#depth #running #back

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Mike Vrabel had his eye on Corey Kiner ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
But the running back out of LSU ultimately went undrafted and ended up signing with the San Francisco 49ers' practice squad. His stint lasted until the middle of August that same year, when he was waived with an injury designation. The Minnesota Vikings signed him to the practice squad in September 2025, and then in December, he was signed to the Arizona Cardinals' active roster. That's where he remained until the end of this summer, when the New England Patriots traded for Kiner shortly before the roster cut deadline.
It was a call he didn't expect, but one he was happy to receive.
"I was a little shocked. I was happy, though," he told Patriots Wire in an one-on-one conversation on Tuesday. "Just very happy that I was getting the opportunity to come be on a 53-man roster."
Roster cutdown day is one of the hardest in the NFL, but some teams, especially those at the bottom of the waiver wire, will look to trade with another team to acquire a player they had their eye on, in an effort to ensure they get them. That's what the Patriots did with Kiner.

#wire #signed

The Patriots aren't done.
A day after putting together their first 53-man roster for the 2026 NFL season, Mike Vrabel's team continues to be active.
Monday marked the day when thousands of players went through the waiver wire. NFL teams had until 1 p.m. ET to put a claim in for a player to add to their 53-man roster.
The Patriots claimed two veteran players: linebacker Darius Muasau and tight end Cameron Latu. The Patriots had one player claimed, with the Miami Dolphins claiming cornerback Marcellus Dial.
BETTING: Patriots moneyline is +164 on FanDuel for Week 1's Super Bowl rematch versus the Seahawks. Our in-depth FanDuel Sportsbook review provides a trustworthy guide on how to use their app.

#fanduel #muasau

The New England Patriots were quite busy over the weekend, making 42 combined transactions to go from previously 91 to 53 players on their active roster. A majority of those moves were expected to happen, but the team of head coach Mike Vrabel nonetheless managed to pull off some minor surprises.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the moves that can be qualified as surprises through the lens of our established winners and losers format. It would be easy to label the 53 men on the active roster as winners and the rest as losers, but every situation is different and the reality much more nuanced than simply asking who is in or out.
QB Behren Morton: With Drake Maye a franchise-caliber player and Tommy DeVito an able and experienced backup, the top of the Patriots' quarterback depth chart was set in stone throughout the summer. The question was whether or not Morton had done enough to warrant being kept as one of the 53 players on the roster. Turns out he had. Despite some shortcomings elsewhere on the team, he made it through cutdown day as QB3 and the projected emergency option on game day.
OT Dametrious Crownover: Shortly before the cutdown deadline at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, the Patriots made a trade with the Vikings to bring in versatile offensive lineman Walter Rouse, a player capable of lining up at both tackle and guard. And yet, despite his presence, the team decided to keep four pure tackles on the initial 53. Three of those — Will Campbell, Morgan Moses, Caleb Lomu — were set in stone to begin with, but Crownover's position seemed less secure with Rouse in the mix. However, he seemingly had nothing to worry about and done enough over the summer to secure a roster spot in lieu of nominal OT4 Marcus Bryant.
ED Quintayvious Hutchins: The defensive edge had been in the spotlight going back to the offseason, and it remains a question at this point as well. Through the cutdown deadline, however, the Patriots opted to go with four players, Hutchins among them. His inclusion over fellow edges Bradyn Swinson and Jesse Luketa might have come surprisingly, but the seventh-round draft pick has developed nicely over the summer to make the pair expendable.

#cutdown #morton

The New England Patriots' preseason is complete as they now must trim their roster to 53 players by Sunday 6 p.m. ET. The work has already begun for the Patriots, who will then work on filling out their practice squad before turning their attention fully to Seattle.
Before the roster movement and Week 1 prep begins, however, let's take one final look back at the week that was. Welcome to the latest installment of our Sunday Patriots Notes.
The buzzword around 1 Patriots Place continues to be depth.
That stems from head coach Mike Vrabel's comments after the Patriots' second preseason game.
"I do not think we have a very deep team," Vrabel said.

#Patriots #week #welcome

The cuts have begun.
The Patriots entered this weekend with 91 players on their roster. Mike Vrabel's team must be down to 53 players by Sunday at 6 p.m. These next 48 hours mark one of the busiest times in the NFL, with all teams making dozens of roster moves.
For the Patriots, it's only the beginning. Their 53-man roster will constantly change throughout the season. After making cuts this weekend, the Patriots will put together their first practice squad by Monday.
Soon enough, the Patriots will be in Seattle for their Week 1 matchup.
Here's a look at whom the Patriots have started to cut:

#cuts #making #mike #Monday

The Houston Texans traded for Kayshon Boutte this week with hopes that he will be a solid No. 2 receiver for them behind Nico Collins. That's why it was a little shocking to hear Mike Vrabel say Thursday night that if the New England Patriots hadn't dealt Boutte, he likely wouldn't have seen the field for them because of their improved depth at the position.
Boutte's 33 receptions last season was fifth on the Patriots squad, although two of the players ahead of him were tight end Hunter Henry and running back TreVeyon Henderson. His 551 yards was third on the team and his six touchdown catches was second. Still, in the offseason, the Patriots traded for three-time Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Brown and signed former Packers receiver A.J. Doubs as a free agent. Those two are going to be New England's top options at receiver with DeMario Douglas also expected to get plenty of time. The backups are Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams, who both play special teams, something Boutte hasn't done since he entered the league in 2023.
"It was one place where we do have some depth," Vrabel told reporters after the Patriots' final preseason game Thursday night. "I think for all parties involved, that was probably the best thing. Without injuries, Kayshon probably would've been inactive, unfortunately. Just kind of the way it was with him not playing special teams."
The Texans traded a 2028 seventh-round pick and second-year safety Jaylen Reed for Boutte earlier this week, a few days after losing their No. 2 receiver Jayden Higgins to injury.
Boutte, who caught a touchdown over Texans' All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., in last season's playoff game, was with the team this week in Charlotte, N.C., for a joint practice with the Carolina Panthers, but didn't participate in team drills, instead working off to the side with a trainer.

#receiver #traded #kayshon

As Week 1 nears, star cornerback Christian Gonzalez remains without a contract extension, and when speaking with reporters earlier this week, he did admit that he was frustrated by the way things have been going.
"I mean, it's frustrating, but I mean, I'm focused on the season," Gonzalez said on Tuesday. "I'm focused on here now and doing what I got to do, and I'm out here to compete and get better."
Head coach Mike Vrabel was asked about Gonzalez's comments, saying that he had no reaction to him being frustrated, but said he understands where he might be coming from.
"I have conversations with Christian, and I understand that this is probably something that's difficult," he said after the Patriots' preseason finale loss to the Browns. "I've never been in that position to this extent. Try to treat it with class, but he and I communicate, and our players are always free to feel how they feel. They just have to stay patient and just hope that we can work toward some kind of agreement."
Gonzalez is seeking a contract that will make him the highest-paid cornerback in the league, but a concerning update from ESPN's Adam Schefter on Thursday ahead of the preseason game detailed how the team hasn't offered him a deal that matches the $33 million annually Seattle is giving corner Devon Witherspoon.

#christian #week

Had Kayshon Boutte not been traded to the Houston Texans earlier this week, it was unlikely the receiver would have been active for the first game of the regular season.
At least, that's what Mike Vrabel alluded to when speaking with reporters after Thursday's 37-13 preseason loss to the Cleveland Browns, which marked the first time he held a press conference since the trade was announced.
Despite his comments about the team lacking depth, he made sure to highlight that receiver was not a position he included in that group.
"That was one place where we do have some depth, and I think for all parties involved, that was probably the best thing," Vrabel said. "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.
"And I tried to thank Kayshon as many times I could. I texted him again today. 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. And I know that that wasn't easy for him to do, and I tell him all the time about how much I respect him for being able to do that."

#receiver #probably #boutte

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

Patriots Face Fascinating Choose-Your-Own-Adventure At Running Back originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots' final running back spot might come down to one simple question. Would Mike Vrabel prefer a Swiss Army knife or a sledgehammer?
Lan Larison and Hassan Haskins enter Thursday night's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns as two of the leading candidates to become New England's third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
They offer almost completely different solutions.
Larison is a 5-foot-11, 209-pound runner whose receiving ability and special-teams versatility could give Josh McDaniels another movable piece. Haskins is a 6-foot-2, 228-pound power back built to run between the tackles and absorb the punishment that comes with short-yardage work.

#back

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte sent a message to the team on Wednesday in the aftermath of being traded to the Houston Texans.
Boutte thanked the Patriots and those who meant most to him within the franchise's ranks in a post on social media.
"I want to thank Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, and everyone behind the scenes who poured into me," Boutte wrote. "I also want to give a special thank you to Coach Vrabel, Todd Downing, and Josh McDaniels. Thank you for believing in me, trusting in my abilities, and helping me grow, not just as a football player, but as a man."
Boutte was selected by the Patriots with the No. 187 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. After spending all three seasons of his career in New England from 2023-25 and reaching the Super Bowl with the team at the end of last season, the 24-year-old had his offseason trade request honored by the Patriots on Monday, as he now joins the Texans with just under three weeks remaining until the start of the 2026 NFL season.
Boutte also included the Patriots' supporters in his message on Instagram.

#thank