The Buffalo Bills could use another wideout to strengthen their offense next season, and if recent reports are to be believed, they could poach one from their division rivals.
When the Buffalo Bills pursued Kendrick Bourne when he first hit free agency in 2021, the Eastern Washington graduate ultimately went to the New England Patriots. Buffalo can try again this summer, but another AFC East rival is expected to join in pursuit.
“According to one source familiar with the wide receiver market, if the Pats do not re-sign Bourne, history indicates they might lose him to a division foe,” wrote Andrew Callahan via the Boston Herald.
“The Jets were among the teams that showed interest in Bourne over the last 18 months when a Patriots source said their front office received trade calls at the end of training camp in 2022 and 2023. The Pats told those teams, including the Raiders and Rams, that Bourne was not available and kept him through his ACL tear late last October,” he added.
Why Kendrick Bourne is on the Buffalo Bills’ radar
Since spurning the Buffalo Bills in 2021, Kendrick Bourne has been a reliable player for the New England Patriots. In his three seasons in New England, Bourne made 127 receptions for 1,640 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 41 games.
Before tearing his ACL against the Miami Dolphins last October, Kendrick Bourne led the New England Patriots in receptions (37), receiving yards (406), and touchdowns (4).
Bourne said previously that he’s open to re-signing with the New England Patriots this summer.
“All my years they helped me grow tremendously in my life, personally, emotionally, everything, mentally, as a football player, ultimately, and I want to be back in that,” said Bourne in the Patriots Talk Podcast last month.
However, both parties haven’t been seeing “eye-to-eye” in their negotiations so far, according to MassLive’s Mark Daniels, Chris Mason, and Karen Guregian.
Who are the other WR options for the Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills are expected to lose Gabe Davis and Trent Sherfield in free agency, so they must find another weapon to play alongside Stefon Diggs.
With the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, it was suggested that the Buffalo Bills should get Troy Franklin from Oregon.
“Franklin is a tall speedster whose numbers increased in each of his three seasons at Oregon,” wrote Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports. “There’s some after-the-catch juice to his game too. Precisely what the Bills need offensively.”
