SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Kayshon Boutte put collectively one of the best season of his NFL profession in 2025.
For that, he credit his quarterback.
Requested Tuesday what led to his statistical enchancment, the third-year Patriots large receiver replied: “Drake Maye.”
Boutte undoubtedly benefited from enjoying with an NFL MVP candidate behind middle. Although his reception and yardage totals (33 for 551) decreased from their 2024 marks, he caught twice as many touchdowns (six) and considerably improved his catch price (71.7%) and yards-per-target common (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 many greatest catches in Patriots playoff history within the divisional spherical, beating Houston Texans All-Professional cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. for a one-handed landing.
Maye, in the meantime, emerged as one of many NFL’s premier QBs in his second season, main the league in completion proportion, yards per try, passer ranking, QBR and a slew of different classes.
“I at all times knew Drake was that man,” Boutte mentioned. “I at all times did consider in him, consider in what he might do. If you follow with a man on daily basis, you see his capacity, what he’s capable of do, so I’ve at all times been a Drake Maye believer.”
Thanks largely to Maye’s ascension and the affect of head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots adopted up back-to-back four-win seasons by going 14-3, then dispatching the Chargers, Texans and Broncos to succeed in their first Tremendous Bowl because the 2018 season.
For gamers like Boutte and slot receiver DeMario Douglas, 2023 draftees who have been round for each of New England’s 4-13 clunkers, this run has been particularly rewarding.
“Some days, we’ll be sitting there and be like, ‘Rattling,’” Boutte mentioned. “We went via the robust instances, so now it seems like the whole lot’s lastly paying off.”
