There were many issues within the Patriots during much of the 2024 season, leading Robert Kraft to decide to fire Jerod Mayo after just one season as the team's head coach. Among the most prominent issues was the players' complaints to the media, as their outspoken comments led to an alleged mutiny behind the scenes later in the season.
Kayshon Boutte was among the loudest voices who consistently expressed his displeasure with the team and even the coaching during the year, and he wasn't often wrong. but didn't have the best awareness of when it was appropriate to air some dirty laundry.
He often complained about his lack of usage on offense, which isn't entirely unheard of with wide receivers, so there wasn't much made of it. However, based on what we've seen from him so far this season, it's a bit more understandable why he felt he could contribute more and why he should've been given more opportunities sooner.
It's a tough lesson the team learned, but there was also something Boutte took away from it, too, which he shared after the Patriots' latest win over the Saints.
Kayshon Boutte's maturity is showing up on and off the field for the Patriots this season
After another impressive performance in Week 6, where Boutte recorded five catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns, the receiver shared what he learned during a rough 2024 season and how that has greatly impacted his approach to this year.
Clearly, whatever he's doing is paying off and the Patriots are benefiting from it the most.
Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte: "I think if you whine too much about not getting opportunities, sometimes when the ball comes your way, you're not going to make the play. I think it's really just about being dialed in throughout the whole game, because at any given moment, the ball…
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) October 12, 2025
This is exactly the kind of change in mindset and maturity any team would hope to hear from one of their players, even more so from one that is producing as much as Boutte is so far through the first six games.
He has easily become a potential WR1, competing with Stefon Diggs for that title, and with more performances like Sunday's showing, that will surely continue.
There's a reason he was once considered a first-round prospect, and although he eventually fell to the sixth round, the Patriots were fortunate he fell right into their lap. Boutte is proving to be exactly what the offense has long needed, and the chemistry he has developed with Drake Maye can take the offense far.