Throughout the offseason, the Patriots have been central to trade rumors involving multiple players, including potentially trading away some of their players, most notably wide receiver Kayshon Boutte.
Although he has improved every year he's been in the league, and he's clearly a favorite target for Drake Maye, as seen during games and at practice this summer, the Patriots are reportedly still looking to move him ahead of Week 1, but aren't having much luck with the offers that have been made.
That's said to be the main reason Boutte is still with the team, yet most analysts and fans feel the offense will be better with him on the roster.
Regardless, the higher-ups in Foxboro are sending mixed signals about his immediate and long-term future with the team, which keeps them connected to receiver-needy teams, like the one about to visit for their second preseason game of the year.
Most of the conversation surrounding the Eagles this week will inevitably be about A.J. Brown facing his former team for the first time. While that's a big story, there's another juicy bit coming out of Philadelphia, after rookie receiver Makai Lemon suffered an injury at practice.
That puts the Eagles in a position to take a special interest in Boutte, especially since they'll have a close-up view of him at practice this week.
Eagles might be calling the Patriots soon about another trade after new injury
At this point in time, the severity of Lemon's injury isn't exactly clear. He was reportedly seen sprinting at practice on Monday morning, but other reports suggest he won't be ready to start the season, putting the Eagles in an awkward spot offensively.
They're already going to be a new group without Brown as Jalen Hurts' main target, with DeVonta Smith expected to step up into that role this fall. Lemon was projected to be near the top of the depth chart, too, given he was a first-round pick, but his injury puts his start time in question.
That could ultimately make Boutte the Eagles' next focus, given that he is a young player clearly on the rise and shouldn't be all that expensive to acquire. The consensus has been that a fourth-round pick would get the Patriots to accept a deal, so if they're willing to offer that, they should do it.
But it's probably not something they'll do with any urgency until they know definitively how serious Lemon's injury is and how much time he'll miss.
At the same time, however, the Patriots should seriously consider keeping Boutte for the 2026 season and extending him as soon as possible. He's not a player who warrants top dollar, so it's not like they're on the hook for a hefty payday. But he has been a consistent performer for the offense, particularly with Maye, and that's something they shouldn't disrupt.
The receiving corps led by A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs, and Kayshon Boutte would be impressive, as they are a dynamic group that could create plenty of problems for opposing defenses, especially with players like DeMario Douglas and Mack Hollins waiting in the wings.
The Patriots have struggled to find homegrown talent, and Boutte is clearly one of their better success stories in recent years, so the idea of trading him seems foolish.
Regardless, it wouldn't be at all surprising if trade rumors pick up this week with the Eagles in town, and it could become only a matter of time before we hear a deal has been struck, even if we don't want to see it happen.
Add us as a preferred source on Google