Kendrick Bourne Shut Down Trade Rumours of Desire to Rejoin 49ers
Trade rumors have followed Kendrick Bourne for much of his Patriots tenure. Despite having re-signed with the team on a three-year deal in March, his name circulated in potential trades this summer and again recently.
The 49ers discussed Bourne with the Patriots this offseason, as the defending NFC champions would have wanted him to come back if Brandon Aiyuk had wanted to be traded to New England. He did not, despite the Pats submitting the top per-year offer. As for Bourne, he does not want to be traded back to his original team.
One of the 2021 additions brought in during Bill Belichick‘s uncharacteristic free agency splurge, Bourne has impressed at points in New England. The former 49ers role player finished with a career-high 800 receiving yards in 2021, helping the team to the playoffs in Josh McDaniels‘ final OC season.
As the Pats’ offense cratered during the odd Matt Patricia play-calling season, Bourne was made available as he fell into Belichick’s doghouse. Re-emerging last season, Bourne was leading Patriots pass catchers with 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games before suffering an ACL tear. But the team still prioritized him during an offseason that featured numerous re-signings and extensions.
Bourne, who began this season on the reserve/PUP list, is now 29. Although he re-signed on a three-year deal worth $19.5M, only $5.5M is guaranteed. An acquiring team would have Bourne on a flexible contract, and with the Pats rebuilding, it would make sense if the eighth-year veteran was interested in being dealt. As of now, he is not eager to move.
Bourne is a bit out of place on this Pats roster, as the rest of the team’s receiving corps consists of players drafted from 2022-24. (K.J. Osborn was also acquired during Eliot Wolf‘s first offseason in charge.) But Bourne, who has just four catches for 29 yards in three games this season, told Kyed he is willing to be a mentor in New England.
The 49ers saw their receiver operation crumble against the Chiefs. Deebo Samuel needed to be hospitalized with pneumonia, and Aiyuk suffered an ACL tear. Jauan Jennings missed the game and has not returned to practice this week, and Ricky Pearsall was making his debut weeks after being shot in a robbery attempt.
Considering Bourne’s four seasons in Kyle Shanahan‘s system and the NFC West team’s interest in reacquiring him this summer, an emergency return would be logical.
Losers of six straight, the Patriots will have until Nov. 5 to decide on moving Bourne and their other trade candidates.
