5:58pm: The Pats have a deal with Bourne. They are signing the former 49ers receiver to a three-year, $22.5MM pact, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. While Bourne and Nelson Agholor are not on the top tier of available wideouts, they are off the market as part of New England’s receiver-retooling effort.
4:16pm: Usually fairly restrained early in free agency periods, the Patriots have been active on Day 1 of the legal tampering period. They are now moving toward a deal with 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
Multiple teams have made offers to Bourne, per Fowler, but he and the Pats are discussing terms at this juncture. Bourne would represent a notable add to a receiver room in dire need of 2021 contributors.
New England has given either Cam Newton (or a to-be-determined QB1) Jonnu Smith and added Matt Judon and Jalen Mills to its defense. Bourne would be the team’s first wideout addition this offseason. The Pats have been in transition at this spot for multiple seasons, so Bourne would be a welcome signing.
Despite missing time because of COVID-19 last season and the 49ers having lost Jimmy Garoppolo for much of the slate, Bourne emerged with his most productive year. He caught 49 passes for 667 yards and two touchdowns. During San Francisco’s 2019 NFC championship season, Bourne played a key role but took a backseat to the likes of George Kittle, Emmanuel Sanders and Deebo Samuel in the 49ers’ aerial hierarchy.
I’ve never even heard of this guy before. Maybe I’m just uninformed, but I think the Patriots should set their sights on a higher-level receiver, especially with Cam as their qb.
Just uninformed. Bourne has been a very solid #3 receiver for the niners. Tough player, picks up big 3rd down conversions.
Two years ago he really came on as a good slot receiver, last year he was super inconsistent with drops. He’s interesting at the right price.
Per Pro Football Reference, his Drop Rate the last three years has been 7.6%, 6.8% and 8.1%. It sounds like this will continue to be a low- to middling level problem for him.
There are lots of reasons for drops, this is not bad for what he brings to the table.
I agree Steezy. He’d make great catches and he’d drop easy ones. Inconsistent.
They may have and weren’t able to get one of the higher level WR
We don’t need a top flight WR, it would be nice but the cupboard is stocked with WRs and 2 new TEs that will be heavily featured in a run back of 2011 timeframe.
What they need is a bull running back to add to the stable and to resolve the Center situation. Fournette would complement what we have very nicely.
Uninformed per usual
Oh, well, since you haven’t heard of him…
I remember seeing him in the SB last year. He’s kind of like a worse version of Deebo Samuel I think. btw i like your profile pic
I think they’re signing players they would normally draft. I can see them drafting a top WR or RB in the first round.
Any chance the Pats also get Jason Bourne ??
not official, but the family relationship should mean they now have a much better chance at getting him
Why do you think they signed his brother?
BB won’t pursue Jason if if it means dealing with a Bourne Ultimatum.
Great in red zone, a TD machine, great on 3rd down when you need that 1st. He’s been used more of a possession WR in SF but I feel if he’s given a chance to more of a focal point in NE he will put up some numbers. Actually really stings to see him go but happy for him to get paid and get the chance to show what he can really do.
If he show up with the pats great for him but with what he done with us at best he a number 2/3 option
A TD machine? He has 11 TDs across four seasons (58 games).
Solid third receiver, but don’t oversell him.
He a good depth player. Don’t expect him to be a number one guy. He a at best a number 2/3 option
7 mill per? Yowzer looks like an overpay to me, but I suppose ya gotta overpay to get receivers to want to catch passes from scam Newton lol
Have to admire the Pats going out and spending, but I’m not sure how much better they got with all of it. We’ll see, though. Belichick looks like he is valuing a spread of above average players over one or two big swings.
Jonnu and Judon were the big swings
Not really. Jonnu is solid but not spectacular. He’s good for like 3-4 catches a game.
Judon, sure. They spent a ton on him, better hope he works out.
Man after watching Brady win the superbowl Bellicheck is hell bent on trying to win with Newton.
No way he makes pass year one of contract. IMO anything above 3.5 million a year for Bourne is an overpay. Solid player and great in the locker room,works hard,and teammates love him. But that’s a major overpay for someone who can easy be replaced by a veteran making close to league minimum.
65% catch ratio doesn’t grow on trees. Looks more like market value to me ($6-7 million, depending on how you like Bourne’s intangibles).
You are right. It is basically a one year deal unless he preforms at a very high level next year. I bet the cap hit is lower than 5 mil next year and had not much guarantees.