Kayshon Boutte is in a better place now.
Boutte, who never seems to lack confidence in front of the camera, credited himself for that. But the Patriots third-year wide receiver acknowledged it also was the result of others. Others as in teammates and coaches? Not exactly. Others as in those outside the confines of Gillette Stadium.
Boutte continues to be lauded for his growth on and off the field. Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel commented on Boutte’s demeanor never getting too high or too low, regardless of whether or not the ball finds him. Boutte’s level of communication has improved, too. It’s a product of growing more familiar with position coach Todd Downing and the coaching staff, Vrabel said. This preseason, Patriots executive Eliot Wolf and Downing praised Boutte for becoming a professional.
So, what’s aided Boutte’s growth? He detailed the motivation behind his maturation.
“I think what helped me get to where I am today, you know, all the negative s— you hear,” Boutte said inside the locker room on Wednesday. “You see what everybody negative got to say. Everybody wants you cut, everybody wants you traded, nobody believe in you. I think sometimes that could really be a turning point in somebody’s life because, I mean, it can knock you down, but it can also build you up and help you want to be great.
“I feel like everybody really did that for me the past two years of just knocking me down.”
Boutte’s perspective on external noise isn’t new. After making New England’s 53-man roster his rookie year, the sixth-round pick admitted it felt great to prove doubters wrong. He recalled the criticism he received right after a career milestone.
Unfortunately for Boutte, it didn’t take long for that noise to grow louder. How long exactly? Literally one game.
With the Patriots hosting the Eagles in Week 1 of the 2023 season, an ending fans might recall, Boutte failed to get two feet in bounds on a game-sealing fourth down attempt. Mac Jones threw to Boutte on the sideline and would have moved the chains on fourth-and-11 with 29 seconds left. Boutte, however, failed to drag his second foot in bounds for a second time in the game. Patriots fans sharpened their social pitchforks and Bill Belichick benched Boutte the next eight weeks.
“I think the big ‘Welcome to the NFL Moment’ for me was not getting two feet in against the Eagles then being benched for a while,” said Boutte, citing an example of adversity he’s faced. “Sitting on that made me feel like, ‘Damn, it do kinda suck not playing.’ Starting your first NFL game, expectations being high, being an LSU dude and just not producing the way everybody wanted to.
“But I think another thing people fail to realize with that play, though, trying to get your second foot down, but if somebody fully pushing on your back, it automatically extends your leg, which makes it harder,” Boutte said. “But I think if I could go back and redo it, I would catch the ball falling instead of trying to catch it and toe tap.”
Brian Hoyer has high praise for Kayshon Boutte after he finished with 93 yards and 2 touchdowns in Sunday’s win over the Saints.
Being benched by Belichick halted Boutte’s rookie season before it even started. He played five games, but registered just 61 snaps in the final four contests. For reference, he played 55 snaps in Week 1. After being a healthy scratch in Week 6, Boutte aired his frustrations on social media and posted: “Free me.”
It was quickly deleted. But, again, it told the story surrounding Boutte’s start.
While veteran athletes might recommend to ignore the noise and stay off social media, the 21-year-old Boutte wasn’t there yet. Boutte wouldn’t go as far as to seek it out, he said, but couldn’t avoid it either.
“I mean, you can’t look at the good and not look at the bad,” Boutte said. “You’re gonna see both, honestly. If you looking, you’re gonna see both. Some people choose to delete it, not see anything. Some people choose to go through the good and the bad.
“But like I said, everybody has a turning point in their career.”
Boutte seemingly reached his.
The 23-year-old wideout is on pace for a career season. A former five-star recruit, Boutte has caught 20 passes for 356 yards with a career-best four touchdowns in seven games this season. Eighteen of his 20 receptions have went for first downs. Boutte also is tied for the most 25-plus-yard touchdown receptions in the NFL (three) and his average of 17.8 yards per touch ranks fifth in the league, per Patriots Communications.
Boutte has since noticed a change. A change from others.
“Now, everybody is believing and everybody is like, ‘Oh, he’s getting back to this guy he once was,'” Boutte said. “And I’m like, ‘I was always this guy.’ I just needed the right opportunity, and I feel like the opportunity is now.”
The outcome, though, is ultimately rooted in Boutte’s desire to prove it to those on the outside.
