Apparently it’s not just fans and teammates who were surprised by the mysterious benching of Kendrick Bourne, the Patriots’ second-leading receiver from a year ago who played just two snaps in Sunday’s season-opener.
According to Tom E. Curran of NBC Sports Boston, team owner Robert Kraft took note as well, and isn’t too happy about it.
Appearing on Gresh & Keefe on Tuesday, Curran explained how Bourne ended up in de facto offensive coordinator Matt Patricia’s doghouse, and why he may not stay there much longer.
“I think it’s a Patricia thing,” Curran said. “I think Kendrick Bourne showed great production last year and enthusiasm, and Josh McDaniels got a lot out of him. Just by seeing what transpired in the offseason and speaking to some folks around the situation, I think from what Albert Breer reported about Kendrick Bourne not being fully onboard with the way the install was going, looking at his role and seeing it diminish with two tight ends on the field. There was a meeting prior to the Carolina Panthers [preseason] game that he was just a smidge late to. I was told that resulted in the benching that night.
“All those things I think combined have landed him in Matt Patricia’s doghouse. But are we talking about someone who’s gotten sideways with a particular coach and Belichick wants to give Matt the latitude to make his own decisions on how he proceeds? Or are we talking about a guy who’s an active pain in the ass? I don’t know, but we’re looking at a guy whose production and the fact that he was in moth balls on Sunday certainly caught the eye of the owner from what I understand, and I’d be surprised if he stays down for much longer.”
Curran said that Kraft’s involvement in the situation could tie back to comments Kraft made in March, when he told Jeff Howe of The Athletic that he hoped that some of the free agents the team signed in 2021 would produce more in Year 2 and that there was “a lot of talent that hasn’t been tapped into yet in my opinion.”
“I do know that Robert Kraft kind of dropped an edict when he spoke to Jeff Howe of The Athletic in the spring,” Curran said. “…Jonnu Smith didn’t catch a ball until late in the third. He’s a $50 million contract. Kendrick Bourne on a $22 million contract or $18 million contract, but he’s making $6 million and we know he only played two snaps. What do they want to be? What’s their plan? And are they gonna use the resources the owner spent money on and wants to see used?”
Whether Kraft delivered a direct order to Bill Belichick and/or Patricia or just made his voice heard, it sounds like Bourne’s prolonged benching could be coming to an end.
“It’s my understanding -- I wasn’t told directly -- but from what I have gleaned, Robert Kraft noticed it, Robert Kraft made his opinion known, and going forward I think Kendrick Bourne will have a bigger role,” Curran concluded.
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