Kayshon Boutte acknowledges extra motivation in his contract year, and other observations at Patriots training camp

FOXBOROUGH — Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte didn’t have much to say regarding the trade rumors, but he did acknowledge one thing: There’s extra motivation for him headed into the final year of his rookie deal.

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“Truth be told, I think if you were in a contract year at your reporting job, you would want that to be your best year,” Boutte said Thursday after practice. “Whatever that looks like for me, we’ll look at all our options and see.”

Boutte, drafted in the sixth round in 2023, is set to hit free agency after this season. The next offseason will be his first opportunity to earn a major payday. Other receivers expected to be on the market at the same time include Davante Adams, Chris Godwin, Chris Olave, Puka Nacua, George Pickens, Rashee Rice, and Parker Washington.

But there’s some uncertainty regarding where Boutte will be playing this season. After trading for A.J. Brown and signing Romeo Doubs, would the Patriots feel comfortable moving on from Boutte? Especially if they don’t plan on signing him to a second contract?

On Thursday, Boutte said all the right things. He said he would be fine staying in New England. He said he doesn’t know if he’s on the trade block, deferring to coach Mike Vrabel. Nor has he asked Vrabel or executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf for clarity on his role.

“We all hear a lot of the stuff that’s going on,” Boutte said. “I think my main focus is just that I’m here today. My feet are here today. If I’m somewhere else next week, the week after, that’s kind of what it is. That’s part of the business. I’m taking it day by day, not thinking about what’s next.”

Through five days of training camp, Boutte has emerged as one of the offense’s top contributors. He and quarterback Drake Maye have connected on an impressive play nearly every team period. Their chemistry seems unmatched.

Boutte said it’s not difficult to keep his mind focused on football, even with all the discussion about the Patriots’ wide receiver depth chart, as well as his future. He said he spoke with 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams about the importance of focusing on one’s opportunity rather than the performance of others.

“It’s a lot of chatter, whether it’s online or in person,” Boutte said. “I think when we step in the building, we try not to let the noise distract you. Come on the field, I don’t think about it. The whole time I’m at work, I don’t think about it. I’m just where my feet are.”

Vrabel has remained extremely complimentary of Boutte, calling him “very professional” and citing his performance last season.

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“He’s ready to go,” Vrabel said. “He knows what to do. He takes advantage of his opportunities. It’s been great to see him show up and be very productive early on in camp. That’s been no different than last year. I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I tell him that. I’m excited he’s gotten off to a good start.”

Asked how he feels about the crowded receiver room, Vrabel kept all options open. He stressed the value in competitive position battles.

“I love having depth, but I would say we’re always going to look to try to improve, whether that’s by adding draft capital or obtaining a player or keeping the guys that we have,” he said. “We want to try to provide competition throughout the roster at each position. I think that’s something that’s critical. I think that’s what good teams do every year, year in and year out, is they’re making their roster as competitive as possible.”

Other notes and observations from the first day of padded practices . . .

⋅ Cornerback Christian Gonzalez maintained his level of participation even once the pads came on. Given the rainy conditions, and the fact that Gonzalez suffered a hamstring injury on the first day of padded practices last year, it seemed notable that Gonzalez continued to take the field amid the ongoing negotiations for a contract extension.

“I thought he’s come out and looked good, exactly how we’d expect him to look,” Vrabel said.

⋅ DeAndre Hopkins’s stint with the Patriots has ended, after he spent a handful of days shadowing the coaching staff and personnel department. Vrabel called the short stretch “a great experience for all of us,” with players echoing that sentiment. Hopkins, who turned 34 in June, remains unsigned and has yet to make any announcements about his future plans.

⋅ Cornerback Carlton Davis did not practice, after exiting Tuesday’s practice with an apparent injury. Cornerback Charles Woods and running back Rhamondre Stevenson, who also did not finish Tuesday’s session, returned to practice.

⋅ Vrabel said rookie edge rusher Gabe Jacas, who is on the non-football injury list, is progressing well and inching closer to taking the field. Jacas has primarily spent time on the lower conditioning field, but he observed some drills on Tuesday. He also came in on the offday, Wednesday, to meet with outside linebackers coach Mike Smith.

According to Vrabel, Jacas is closer to a return than veteran Harold Landry, who is on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

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