Former New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne opened up about being released by the organization on his YouTube channel. The wide receiver shared his emotions about being let go this past August.
The wideout was a free-agent signing for the Patriots in March 2021. He had a career year in his first season with the team. The playmaker recorded 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns over the course of 17 games. He would not be able to replicate the same numbers with the organization. Injuries were a part of that. He tore his ACL in October 2023 during a Week 8 game against the Miami Dolphins.
He spent the 2024 season recovering. Bourne spent the entire 2024 training camp and the first four games of the regular season on the physically unable to perform list. Wideout was released by the organization in August 2025, during final roster cuts.
This officially ended a Patriots tenure that saw him be productive, even with injuries. He tallied 155 catches for 1,945 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns across four seasons.
Bourne Opens Up About New England Patriots Release
The veteran opened up about being released. He indicated that he knew this Patriots team would be special during a segment on his YouTube channel.
“I knew where the team was going after experiencing OTAs with Vrabes, experiencing camp with Vrabes… You could tell. From going from [Jerod] Mayo and what we did in camp, no knock to Mayo he just wasn’t ready, and then going to Vrabes it was like, bro you could just tell the structure was just different. How we studied, how we met, and different things. That’s what ultimately made me bummed about it… I knew where these guys were going… I was absolutely sad.”
A Move That Benefitted Both Parties
With that being said, the wide receiver has found success with the San Francisco 49ers. He signed a one-year, $1.765 million contract with the team. This represented a return to where he began his career. This was a bounce-back here for him as well. He appeared in 16 games, starting eight. He was able to record 37 catches for 551 yards on the year.
In the meantime, the Patriots were able to get production from the wide receiver spot this season. Stefon Diggs recorded 1,013 receiving yards. This marked the first 1,000-yard receiver for the organization since Julian Edelman in 2019.
They were also able to get contributions from wide receivers Kayshon Boutte and Mack Hollins. He had 33 catches for 551 yards and six touchdowns. Hollins had 46 catches for 550 yards and two touchdowns. Demario Douglas was able to play at a high level as well. He recorded 31 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns on the year.
It’s certainly interesting to think about what the Patriots offense would’ve looked like with Bourne. He was a key veteran receiver for the Patriots during his time in New England. However, injuries begin to hamper him towards the end of his tenure. The Patriots were in the market for another playmaking receiver throughout the course of the season. One has to wonder if he could have filled that role.
Nevertheless, the homecoming to the 49ers was a solid move for him. It allowed him to get additional targets and get back to that top wide receiver role. In the end, Bourne’s release was a move that worked out well for both parties. That being said, there’s no denying that the Patriots’ improbable Super Bowl run was tough to watch from a distance, especially having been with the organization six months earlier.
