Patch Patriots Roundup: Boutte Charges, Pat Patriot Creator Dies

FOXBOROUGH, MA — The Patriots aren't involved in any playoff football, but it's been far from a slow news week in New England.

A young wide receiver is currently dealing with legal trouble, the team said goodbye to a big part of the history and where is Bill Belichick going to coach next year?

Here's what to know:

Pat Bissell

Patriots fans across the world can thank Pat Bissell for the legendary Pat Patriot logo.

Bissell, who created the iconic logo, died this week at 97. The Patriots announced his passing on X.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Phil Bissell, the original creator of the Pat Patriot logo," the team said.

Kayshon Boutte

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte was arrested on Thursday in Lousiana, where he faces charges related to gambling during his time at Louisiana State University.

According to Louisiana State Police, investigators with the state's gambling enforcement division were contacted by an online sports gambling company in July 2023 about wagers made by a "prohibited person", later identified as Boutte.

State police found that Boutte participated in sports gambling from April 6, 2022, until May 7, 2023, when he was 20 years old. During this period, Boutte used an alias to circumvent the legal age required for placing sports wagers in Louisiana, officials said.

Between April 6, 2022, and May 7, 2023, the account believed to be used by Boutte placed over 8,900 wagers. Of the 8,900 wagers, at least 17 were on National Collegiate Athletic Association football games, with at least six of those wagers on LSU football.

He is charged with computer fraud and gambling by a person under 21. Boutte was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish jail on the charges on Thursday.

The Patriots told ESPN that they are aware of the charges against Boutte, adding that they are "aware" that he is cooperating with the state police investigation.

Bill Belichick

The head coaching musical chairs are coming to an end, and Bill Belichick remains without a team.

Though early signs pointed to Belichick linking with the Atlanta Falcons, the team announced this week that they'll hire Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Raheem Morris.

Multiple reports indicate that Belichick still wants total control of the football operations in a new job, which many teams in the league don't entertain.

Now, only two jobs remain available. Seattle and Washington have yet to hire a candidate, but it's widely believed that Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be hired for one of those jobs.

That leaves Belichick fighting for the other with other head coaching candidates like Mike Vrabel, Houston Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and others.

It's beginning to look more and more like there's a chance Belichick won't be on the sidelines when the 2024 season starts.