The New England Patriots are amidst a transformative offseason, marked by a new head coach, reorganization of their front office, and plans to revamp their roster extensively.
Free agency will play a pivotal role in this transformation. While acquiring external talent is on the agenda, there’s also a considerable focus on addressing the contracts of numerous in-house free agents. A total of 24 players are poised to enter the open market this spring, requiring contract negotiations.
One of these players is wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who is the focus of our next free agency profile.
Concrete Details:
Name: Kendrick Bourne
Position: Wide receiver
Age at start of the season: 29 (born on August 4, 1995)
Physical measurements: Height: 6 feet 1 inch, Weight: 205 pounds
Jersey number: 84
Status in free agency: Unrestricted free agent
Career Journey:
Bourne’s professional career commenced with the San Francisco 49ers, where he emerged as a dependable target in their passing game. During his four seasons with the 49ers, he amassed over 1,800 receiving yards, notably contributing 42 yards in Super Bowl 54, along with securing 12 touchdowns. Following this stint, he entered free agency and subsequently signed with the New England Patriots ahead of the 2021 season.
Upon joining New England, Bourne assumed a more prominent role within the team’s offensive scheme. He demonstrated a strong rapport with rookie quarterback Mac Jones, achieving career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (800). Notably, he showcased his talents in the Wild Card playoff loss, recording seven receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns, making him a standout performer.
Initially expected to expand his role in his second year with the Patriots, Bourne faced challenges under the new offensive leadership of Matt Patricia. He encountered a tumultuous summer, marked by incidents such as being sent home from a preseason game and being dismissed from a training camp practice. Consequently, his playing time and subsequent productivity suffered throughout the season.
2023 Performance Overview:
– Participated in 8 games, with 5 starts
– Logged 371 offensive snaps, equivalent to 73.0% of playing time
– Recorded 37 receptions, accumulating 406 receiving yards, averaging 11.0 yards per catch, and scoring 4 touchdowns
Season Synopsis:
Following a disappointing 2022 season, Bourne initiated a revitalization effort during the offseason. This included adopting a new workout regimen and dietary plan, resulting in a notable increase of 15 pounds in muscle mass.
Under the leadership of Bill O’Brien, who assumed control of the offense in 2023, Bourne appeared rejuvenated and poised to return to his performance levels from 2021. Impressively, his chemistry with Jones remained strong, showcased during training camp and continuing into the early weeks of the season. Notably, he began the season with a bang, securing two touchdowns in Week 1, surpassing his entire touchdown count from the previous year.
Bourne maintained his momentum as the season progressed, emerging as New England’s most reliable receiver. By the eighth week, he had already exceeded his reception tally from the entire 2022 season, amassing 37 catches for 406 yards. Unfortunately, his season came to an abrupt halt due to a torn ACL suffered in Week 8.
Previewing Free Agency:
– Contract Background: Bourne entered free agency for the first time in 2021 following his initial three-year entry-level contract and subsequent one-year tender with the San Francisco 49ers. Upon becoming an unrestricted free agent, he inked a three-year deal worth $15 million with the New England Patriots.
– Potential Suitors: Bourne, who will be 29 years old at the start of the upcoming season and is recovering from a torn ACL, faces competition from a deep pool of wide receivers in the NFL Draft. Nonetheless, his track record demonstrates his value as a significant asset in NFL passing offenses, likely drawing interest from multiple teams.
Potential Landing Spots:
The teams featured in Super Bowl LVIII could be potential destinations. Despite their Super Bowl victory, the Kansas City Chiefs might still seek upgrades in their pass-catching options to complement Patrick Mahomes. Another possibility could be a reunion with the San Francisco 49ers, who operate a similar West Coast offense, especially considering Jauan Jennings is set to become a free agent. Additionally, the Cincinnati Bengals could be a viable option if they lose Tyler Boyd in free agency.
Reasons for Expecting His Return:
Bourne has expressed a clear desire to return. Since the conclusion of the season, he has been vocal on social media and in various interviews during Super Bowl week, indicating his hope to stay in Foxboro. In an interview with the Patriots Talk Podcast, he emphasized the significant personal and professional growth he has experienced during his time with the Patriots, crediting the organization for pushing him to new levels both on and off the field. He views the Patriots’ environment as uniquely beneficial for his development as a person and a player, expressing a strong desire to continue being a part of it.
Reasons for Potential Departure:
The Patriots’ wide receiver corps is poised for changes following a lackluster performance in 2023. This likely involves bolstering talent around DeMario Douglas through acquisitions in free agency and the draft. However, decisions regarding the contracts of JuJu Smith-Schuster and DeVante Parker also loom large. If the Patriots are unable to offload at least one of these contracts, they may find themselves constrained in terms of both depth chart space and salary cap flexibility, potentially affecting Bourne’s future with the team.
Projected Free Agency Outcome:
Despite Bourne’s desire to remain with the Patriots and his recovery from an ACL injury, the team holds the leverage in negotiations. Opting to retain Bourne over Smith-Schuster and/or Parker could prove to be a prudent investment for the Patriots. A feasible scenario could involve a two-year contract valued around $12 to $14 million, a figure that aligns with the interests of both parties.
Discussion:
As Kendrick Bourne enters free agency, the question arises: will he continue his tenure with the Patriots, or will the team opt to part ways with him? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.