Free agency will significantly shape the New England Patriots roster ahead of the 2024 season. All in all, 25 players are headed toward the open market since they’re out of contract, including Kendrick Bourne, who expressed interest in prolonging his stay in New England.
“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 last week in the Patriots Talk Podcast.
“I was pushed to another level with the Patriots, and I think it’s just different. It’s an environment that works for me, and that helps me become a better person, and a better player. So, I would love to keep that going,” he added.
The team is facing a huge offseason ahead. After appointing Jerod Mayo as their new head coach following the departure of Bill Belichick, they are also expected to make changes from the top down.
Kendrick Bourne is coming off another lackluster season
Kendrick Bourne came into the 2023 campaign with high hopes after he added 15 pounds of muscle via his new workout regimen. In Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Eastern Washington product recorded 64 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions.
Bourne was the team’s most consistent target up until he tore his ACL in Week 8 against the Miami Dolphins. The 28-year-old wide receiver finished the season with 406 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 37 receptions for a total of 371 offensive snaps.
With Bourne sidelined, the New England Patriots had to depend on the likes of DeMario Douglas, Hunter Henry, and DeVante Parker for production. Douglas finished the season as the team’s top yard-getter with 561 receiving yards.
Should the New England Patriots keep or let go of Kendrick Bourne?
The New England Patriots have the third overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, and most mock drafts have them getting a wide receiver, either Marvin Harrison Jr. from Ohio State or Malik Nabers from LSU.
But other than doing that, one of their main priorities should be extending a couple of their free agents for veteran leadership, and Kendrick Bourne is one of them. Because Bourne is coming off a major injury, that should work to the New England Patriots’ advantage in the negotiations.
However, if Kendrick Bourne ultimately leaves New England this offseason, rival teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and the Cincinnati Bengals should emerge as his potential suitors.