Budding Patriots Wideout ‘Refused’ This When Speaking To Jerod Mayo
Kayshon Boutte didn’t want to experience his rookie season all over again.
So when the New England Patriots second-year wide receiver was set to enter the 2024 campaign, he wanted to make one thing clear to new head coach Jerod Mayo.
“Last year, probably as we all know, got sidelined after the first game — Eagles with Bill Belichick,” Boutte told reporters at Gillette Stadium on Wednesday, per CLNS Media.
“So just coming back this season I sat with coach Mayo, and I was just like, ‘I refuse to go through the same (expletive) I did last year,'” Boutte said. “I’d say my mindset shifted knowing that I want to be on the field, one of those types of players. That’s kind of where I’m at in my career.”
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Boutte clearly isn’t afraid to ask for what he wants. The 2023 sixth-round pick also has approached offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt about getting more involved in the offense, leading to a 40-yard touchdown in Week 6 and another deep ball connection with Drake Maye in Week 7.
“For me personally, in the game, I get frustrated when I’m not getting thrown the ball knowing that I’ve caught every ball that’s thrown to me this season,” said Boutte, who’s caught eight of 10 targets for 139 yards and one touchdown in five games. “So, I just feel like I would always go to the sideline and demand the ball.”
Boutte is blossoming into a reliable young receiver for the offense. The LSU product started the season down the depth chart and didn’t take the field in the first two weeks. He played 83% of offensive snaps the last two games, however, and turned it into four catches on five targets for 92 yards.
Boutte was inactive for 12 games during his rookie season. He played 69% of offensive snaps during that aforementioned Week 1 contest against the Eagles, but a crucial error against Philadelphia resulted in his ensuing benching by Belichick.
Now, he’s trying to make the most of his newfound second chance.