Report: Kendrick Bourne Offered Contract to Stay in Foxboro

The New England Patriots have several players set to hit the market when it free agency opens on March 13. They also have a need to upgrade the team’s wide receiver room. According to a report on Monday, New England attempted to address both of these issues to some degree. Before the NFL Scouting Combine, they made a contract offer to wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. Terms of the offer are not known.

The report came from Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.

2023 Ended Early

Bourne was the Patriots leading receiver when his 2023 season ended in Week 8. Bourne tore his right ACL, requiring surgery. At the time, his anticipated recovery was estimated to be 6-to-8 months, which would have him ready to go by the end of June. According to Callahan’s report, Bourne is “ahead of schedule in his rehab and tracking to be ready for Week 1.”

The timing was particularly poor for both Kendrick Bourne and the Patriots. He was on pace for 79 receptions, 863 yards, and nine touchdowns when he was injured. All of those numbers would have been career highs. As Bourne was also set to hit free agency following the season, the injury likely cost him a more lucrative deal as well.

Positive Environment

During the offseason, Bourne has made several references to wanting to remain with the franchise with whom he has spent the past three seasons.

When asked by Tom E. Curran if he had unfinished business in Foxboro, Kendrick Bourne didn’t hesitate, replaying “absolutely.”

Bourne went on to talk about how New England has been a good fit for him.

“It’s an environment that works for me, that helps me become a better person, better player. So I would love to keep that going. I felt like I was becoming the best player that I’ve ever been in my career (before the injury).”

The wide receiver even chimed in on his preference for how New England uses the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

“I like Jayden Daniels,” Bourne told Curran. “I’m a Jayden Daniels fan. Heisman Trophy winner, obviously. I love how he plays, being able to be versatile. I think that would be a strong suit for us.”

Referring to the New England Patriots as “us” certainly seems like an indication Bourne wants to remain in Foxboro.

The New England Patriots wide receiver corps currently consists of DeMario Douglas, DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, T.J. Luther, and Kawaan Baker. Of that group, only Douglas seems a certainty to be on the 2024 roster. Kendrick Bourne could make it two.