The New England Patriots’ receiving corps underperformed in 2023, ranking 22nd in completions, 28th in yards, 27th in touchdowns, and 29th in receiving first downs.
With the most cap space of any team with $101 million, New England hopes to address the wide receiver position in free agency.
They have already made an offer to one of their free-agent receivers.
The New England Patriots have made a contract offer to their WR1.
According to Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald, New England offered Kendrick Bourne a new contract.
Kendrick Bourne has spent the last three seasons in New England.
New England signed Bourne to a 3-year, $15 million contract during the 2021 offseason.
Bourne had his best statistical season as a pro in 2021, recording 55 receptions on 70 targets for 800 yards and five touchdowns in 17 games. Bourne averaged 3.2 receptions per game, 11.4 yards per target, 14.5 yards per reception, and 47.1 yards per game. He finished 2nd in receptions, 3rd in targets, 2nd in yards, 3rd in yards per reception, 2nd in touchdowns, 3rd in receiving first downs, and 3rd in snap counts at his position on the team.
Bourne took a step back in production in 2022, battling turf toe during the middle of the season, and saw his snap counts drop from 51.81% to 41.92%. Bourne recorded 35 receptions on 48 targets for 434 yards and one touchdown in 16 games. He averaged 2.2 receptions per game, 9.0 yards per target, 12.4 yards per reception, and 27.1 yards per game. He finished 4th in receptions, 4th in yards, 5th in targets, 4th in yards per reception, 6th in touchdowns, 4th in receiving first downs, and 5th in snap counts.
Bourne had a great start to the 2023 season but suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 8. Bourne finished the season with 37 receptions on 55 targets for 406 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 4.6 yards per game, 7.4 yards per target, 11.0 yards per attempt, and 50.8 yards per game. He finished 5th in receptions, 4th in targets, 3rd in yards, 6th in yards per reception, 2nd in touchdowns, 4th in receiving first downs, and 4th in snap counts.
Bourne has enjoyed his time in New England.
Bourne told reporters last month that he loves being a Patriot.
“That is a goal of mine. I love being a Patriot—it’s a great environment for a person like me,” Bourne told ESPN last month. “Being a Patriot helped me grow into the player I am today. I’m thankful for the organization, but you never know. I’ve been in free agency before and I didn’t know what would happen. And I don’t know now.”
If Bourne doesn’t re-sign, he has many suitors.
There are rumors that the New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Los Angeles Rams would be interested if he doesn’t re-sign with the New England Patriots.
Stay tuned because this will be an interesting offseason.
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