Kendrick Bourne has expressed his desire to return to the New England Patriots as a free agent this offseason, but it seems no deal is impending between the two sides.
In fact, according to a report by means of Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2, the extensive receiver is “currently anticipated to take a look at the market” when it opens in mid-March. If so, the belief is that he will have his truthful share of suitors even after ending the 2023 season on injured reserve due to a torn ACL.
Bourne, who will flip 29 in August, had a productive marketing campaign before his season-ending knee injury. Appearing in the Patriots’ first eight video games of the season, he caught a team-leading 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns. The veteran wideout was once one of the few regular contributors on an offense that struggled during the year.
Despite the Patriots’ 4-13 season main to wide-ranging changes throughout the organization, Bourne has made no secret about his plans: he sees himself re-signing in New England.
“All my years they helped me develop extraordinarily in my life, personally, emotionally, everything, mentally, as a football player, ultimately, and I favor to be returned in that,” Bourne stated until now this month. “I was pushed to every other stage with the Patriots and I suppose it’s just different. It’s an environment that works for me, that helps me end up a better person, better player. So, I would love to keep that going.
“I felt like I used to be becoming the best participant I’ve ever been in my career. I had a tremendous 12 months in 2021. I had a exquisite three years there. So, simply going into the subsequent yr — obviously, I obtained hurt — I actually have unfinished business. I was enjoying great, so I want to go returned and do that again.”
A former undrafted rookie signing through the San Francisco 49ers, Bourne initially arrived in New England in 2021 via a three-year free corporation contract. He made his have an impact on felt proper away, developing into one of the team’s most reliable gamers and showing a sturdy rapport with then-rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
However, he failed to construct on that basis in 2022; Bourne struggled to earn a steady position below a new offensive teaching staff headlined by way of Matt Patricia and Joe Judge. It took him until his 2023 marketing campaign and another change at offensive coordinator — Bill O’Brien used to be employed final offseason to revitalize the unit — to in the end return to the ranges of play he showcased in his first season in New England.
However, the torn ACL suffered in October put an abrupt stop to any other strong season. Nonetheless, there is optimism about his healing and that he will be geared up for the start of the regular season in September.
What colours he will put on by then appears up in the air.
