Before getting off the ground in Houston, Kayshon Boutte is saying farewell to New England.
The wide receiver, who was traded to the Texans this week, posted a heartfelt message to his Instagram page to say goodbye and thanks to everybody that had a hand in his career with the Patritos.
“New England, it’s hard to put into words what these last few years have meant to me,” Boutte wrote. “Being selected with the 187th pick in the 2023 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots was a dream come true. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed into an organization built on hard work, accountability, and a standard of excellence.
“I want to thank Mr. Kraft, Coach Belichick, and everyone behind the scenes who poured into me. 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. Your guidance, your honesty, and your confidence in me played a huge role in my development, on and off the field. I’ll always have the utmost respect for each of you and will forever be grateful for the time, effort, and belief you invested in me. Thank you for helping shape the player and person I am today. I’ll carry those lessons with me for the rest of my career.
“Patriots Nation, thank you for embracing me from day one. Your support through every high and low never went unnoticed, and I’ll always be grateful for the opportunity to wear the Flying Elvis on my helmet. I’ll always look back on my time in New England with nothing but gratitude and respect. Once a Patriot, always grateful.”
Boutte concluded: “From requesting a trade in March 2026, not knowing what the future holds. I thank the Patriots for doing right by me and sending me to an organization I truly wanted to be a part of.”
The Patriots’ coaching staff and front office praised Boutte for his professionalism all summer, when he put in his work on the practice field despite wanting to play for a team where he’d have more opportunity to produce. Boutte spoke freely about his situation and clearly trusted that the Patriots would eventually honor his wishes.
Boutte should get plenty of pass-catching opportunities in Houston, which will in turn allow him to make some life-changing money as a free agent next offseason. He’ll need to continue putting in his work on the field to make that happen, but in the meantime, he made sure to express appreciation to everyone who made the opportunity possible.
