Patriots officially trade Kayshon Boutte to Texans for Jaylen Reed

The New England Patriots’ roster is undergoing some last-minute changes ahead of a highly anticipated 2026-27 campaign.

On Monday, the six-time Super Bowl champions traded 25-year-old wide receiver Kayshon Boutte to the Houston Texans for safety Jaylen Reed. The deal became official on Tuesday afternoon.

“Patriots announced that they have acquired S Jaylen Reed and a 2028 seventh-round draft pick in a trade with the Houston Texans in exchange for WR Kayshon Boutte,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on X/Twitter. 

After the Patriots landed A.J. Brown from the Philadelphia Eagles in a blockbuster early June trade, there was legitimate speculation that Boutte could be the odd man out in the franchise’s crowded WR room. 

Although it didn’t appear as though New England was in a rush to cut ties with the 551-yard wideout, they ultimately swapped him for Reed before the start of the regular season in a defensive-minded offseason move.

Reed’s rookie season with the Texans was far from spectacular (nine solo tackles, five assisted tackles in seven games). However, his versatility, instincts, and high IQ tendencies should enable him to carve out a respectable role with the Patriots as a sophomore. 

Needless to say, the Patriots understood how essential it was for them to shore up their less-than-stellar secondary in late August.

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