SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kayshon Boutte put together the best season of his NFL career in 2025.
For that, he credits his quarterback.
Asked Tuesday what led to his statistical improvement, the third-year Patriots wide receiver replied: “Drake Maye.”
Boutte undoubtedly benefited from playing with an NFL MVP candidate behind center. Though his reception and yardage totals (33 for 551) decreased from their 2024 marks, he caught twice as many touchdowns (six) and substantially improved his catch rate (71.7%) and yards-per-target average (12.0).
The LSU product leads all New England pass-catchers in receiving yards this postseason (147 on eight catches), and he made one of the greatest catches in Patriots playoff history in the divisional round, beating Houston Texans All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for a one-handed touchdown.
Maye, meanwhile, emerged as one of the NFL’s premier QBs in his second season, leading the league in completion percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating, QBR and a slew of other categories.
“I always knew Drake was that guy,” Boutte said. “I always did believe in him, believe in what he could do. When you practice with a guy every day, you see his ability, what he’s able to do, so I’ve always been a Drake Maye believer.”
Thanks largely to Maye’s ascension and the influence of head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots followed up back-to-back four-win seasons by going 14-3, then dispatching the Chargers, Texans and Broncos to reach their first Super Bowl since the 2018 season.
For players like Boutte and slot receiver DeMario Douglas, 2023 draftees who were around for both of New England’s 4-13 clunkers, this run has been especially rewarding.
“Some days, we’ll be sitting there and be like, ‘Damn,’” Boutte said. “We went through the tough times, so now it feels like everything’s finally paying off.”
Brady not rooting for Pats?
Tom Brady will not specifically be cheering on the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.
The former Patriots quarterback revealed that to Jim Gray on his “Let’s Go!” podcast.
“I don’t have a dog in the fight in this one,” Brady said. “May the best team win. And in terms of the Patriots, this is a new chapter in New England, and I’m glad everyone’s embraced the Mike Vrabel regime, all the amazing players that have worked so hard to get their club to this position. We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back and it’s a very exciting time for everyone in New England. …
“I just wanna see good football. I wanna see good plays, good throws, good strategy, good decisions.”
Brady is a minority owner of the Raiders, and that organization is reportedly hiring Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their new head coach, so perhaps those are two reasons why he wouldn’t outwardly say he’s cheering for the Patriots.
It still seems a little bit strange, since Brady played for the Patriots for 20 seasons and still has ties to the organization in owner Robert Kraft, head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
Brady returned to Gillette Stadium this offseason when the team unveiled a statue of him in the concourse. He was also back last spring when he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame.