FOXBOROUGH, MA. — Much for illustration nan New England Patriots themselves, Pats’ receiver Kayshon Boutte is experiencing a gridiron renaissance this season. In fact, nan 23-year-old’s on-field prowess mightiness make him nan team’s adjacent prima receiver.
Throughout nan 2025 regular season, Boutte emerged arsenic 1 of quarterback Drake Maye’s most-reliable violative weapons — arsenic good arsenic a play big-play threat. In his 14 games this year, he compiled 551 yards connected 33 catches pinch six touchdowns, while averaging 16.7 yards per reception.
Still, Boutte had what galore are calling a defining infinitesimal successful conscionable his second-career postseason game. The third-year receiver put an exclamation constituent connected New England’s 28-16 Divisional Round victory complete nan Houston Texans by connecting pinch Maye for a 32-yard people — hauling successful nan walk pinch 1 arm. He vanished nan crippled having caught 3 of 5 targets for 75 yards.
“Shoutout to Drake [Maye] for making that throw,” Boutte told reporters astatine Gillette Stadium. “I looked back… really did I drawback that? …I didn’t recognize it [was one-handed] until one saw nan replay connected nan videoboard.”
A Boutte Beauty ❄️@Patriots | @InsidetheNFL pic.twitter.com/EmdDn83DyR
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) January 19, 2026Through 2 playoff games, Boutte is not only solidifying his spot arsenic 1 of Maye’s targets, he is becoming a bona fide NFL star. The erstwhile LSU Tiger has compiled an awesome 7 catches for 141 yards and 1 touchdown connected conscionable 9 targets — a stat statement not mislaid connected his quarterback.
“He keeps connected making them. He keeps connected making plays, making maine look good,” Maye said from his postgame podium. “I'm proud to beryllium capable to springiness him immoderate throws to make a play connected it. A one-handed catch, not overmuch other to opportunity astir it. It was beautiful sweet. Kind of nan aforesaid type of propulsion arsenic my first 1 to him. And he made an moreover amended drawback this time. Props to Kayshon for support connected playing. He was immense for america tonight.”
Kayshon Boutte is No Stranger to Overcoming Adversity
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (9) catches nan shot for a touchdown successful nan 4th fourth against nan Houston Texans successful an AFC Divisional Round crippled astatine Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images | David Butler II-Imagn Images
Sporting a collegiate resume astatine LSU — which became arsenic well-known for its wounded history arsenic for showcasing his on-field capacity — coupled pinch a dismal showing astatine nan NFL Scouting Combine, Boutte recovered his measurement to New England arsenic 1 of nan Patriots’ sixth-round Draft selections (No. 187) successful nan 2023 NFL Draft. Having been touted arsenic a imaginable first-round prime arsenic a freshman, nan acquisition of being drafted connected time 3 was a humbling 1 for nan New Iberia, LA native.
In fact, Boutte, [via a individual effort published successful The Players’ Tribune titled “How The Hell Did I Get Here???,”] precocious elaborate nan trails and tribulations which helped forge his way to nan pros — from his wounded history, to nan free autumn of his draught stock, and yet arsenic his troubles pinch gambling from his days astatine LSU, which resulted successful an apprehension warrant being issued for him successful January 2024.
Through it all, Boutte remained wished to maximize his opportunities connected nan field, while applying nan lessons he has learned distant from it. As he and nan Patriots hole to recreation westbound for a showdown pinch nan Denver Broncos successful nan AFC Championship Game, Boutte is cognizant of his success, while remaining grateful for his chance astatine redemption. Accordingly, he besides issued a reminder to anyone who whitethorn proceed to harbor immoderate lingering doubts connected his potential.
"I consciousness for illustration group don't really cognize what I'm tin of," Boutte said pinch a sly smile.
Through his difficult work, determination and motivation, Kayshon Boutte is now stepping backmost into nan starlight — this time, for nan correct reasons. On that basis, nan champion whitethorn beryllium yet to travel for some him and nan Patriots.
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