The New England Patriots added some weapons for Drake Maye this offseason. However, that could mean the new coaching staff will be fine moving on from some players who preceded them.
The Patriots added Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and Kyle Williams to the receiver room. Those three could end up playing a big role on the team in 2026 as Drake Maye and Mike Vrabel try to lead them to the playoffs. However, their additions could also mean the end for a player like Kendrick Bourne, according to Graham Wilker.
“According to Spotrac, the soon-to-be 30-year-old will have a cap hit of nearly $8 million for the next two seasons, a high number given his limited production,” wrote Wilker. “With the additions of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins in free agency, along with Kyle Williams in the Draft, Bourne could become surplus. A group of Diggs, Boutte, Douglas, Hollins, and Williams is passable, and Bourne’s lack of special-teams experience may peg him below the likes of Hollins.”
The only intriguing factor in keeping Bourne around is his potential to find success with Josh McDaniels. Bourne’s best seasons with the Patriots came in 2021 when McDaniels was the offensive coordinator. In 2021, he had 800 yards and five touchdowns. However, things have not been great since then, as he has just 1,145 yards in the last three years.
“He was cast out from Matt Patricia’s offense for most of 2022 and tore his ACL halfway through 2023,” wrote Wilker. “In 2024, he could play ten games, but saw limited production: just 28 catches for 305 yards and a TD; the clear-cut WR3 behind Kayshon Boutte and Pop Douglas. Albeit the opportunity for Bourne to work with McDaniels again in 2025 is appealing, it’s hard to justify keeping him on the roster for nostalgia’s sake if he doesn’t show out in camp.”
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It will be an uphill battle for Bourne to make the team. He was already behind other receivers on the depth chart. Now the Patriots have three new wideouts in front of him as well. If he does not put together a strong training camp and preseason, he may not make the team when the Patriots put together their 53-man roster.
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