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Kendrick Bourne was off to a red hot start in his third and final contracted season with the Patriots in 2023. Through the team’s first eight games, he hauled in 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns, and was on pace to break career highs in all three categories.
Then, on October 29th, the 28-year-old tore his ACL in Miami, ending his season.
Bourne now hits the open market coming off of knee surgery, but for the second time in his career gets to test free agency. The pass catcher has hit his rehab hard, as he’s shown on social media, and even said himself that he’s ahead of schedule.
So where will he end up in 2024? He told NBC Sports Boston’s Tom E. Curran on Quick Slants that he’d like to return to New England:
“Absolutely man,” Bourne explained when asked if he has unfinished business in Foxborough. “The way they treated me last year. I mean all my years, you know, they helped me grow tremendously in my life. Personally, emotionally, everything mentally, as a football player ultimately, and I wanna be back in that.”
He continued: “I was pushed to another level with the Patriots, man and I think it’s just different. It’s an environment that works for me, that helps me become a better person, better player. So I would love to keep that going. I felt like I was becoming the best player that I’ve ever been in my career. I had a great year in 2021, I had a great three years there, so. Just going into the next year– you know obviously I got hurt but I definitely have unfinished business. I was playing great so I wanna go back and do that again.”
Bourne was also asked about the Patriots’ transition from Bill Belichick to Jerod Mayo, and sounded excited about the hire:
“I just see a new era,” he said of New England moving on from Belichick. “It’s just new. I think [there’s] nothing wrong with ending something that was phenomenal. You know Bill had a great tenure. It was just phenomenal, so. I think it was just time for something new and everything comes to an end. And I love Bill and I love everything he brought but I just think it needed something new at this point, and I think that’s what Jerod’s gonna bring. It’s just a new energy and it’s gonna be great, so.”
“I’ve had a great relationship with Mayo,” Bourne said when asked how he thinks the new head coach will do. “You know seeing him there for three years, he’s always walked around the locker room with great energy, with a great attitude, and I just love that that’s the decision [the Patriots] made. I’m excited to see what he does. I think he’s gonna bring great energy. I think it’s gonna be a swag that we have to ourselves that I think hasn’t been seen before in New England.”
As far as when Bourne could potentially re-sign with the Patriots, the NFL’s 2024 League Year and free agent signing period begins on March 13th at 4:00 p.m.
Make sure to follow Mike on Twitter @mikekadlick, and follow @WEEI for the latest up-to-date Patriots and Boston sports news!
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