The New England Patriots’ offense will undoubtedly change dramatically in 2024, but Kendrick Bourne still feels like he’s a part of the team.
Even with a trip to unrestricted free agency, the veteran wide receiver was hoping to stick with the team he spent the last three seasons with.
Bourne, who is coming back from a torn ACL, thinks the Patriots are too high to see him leave for another club.”Over the years, they’ve helped me grow personally, emotionally, overall, mentally and ultimately as a football player,” he said on the Patriots Talk podcast. “I took it to another level with the Patriots and I think it’s really different.
It’s a supportive environment for me, it helps me become a better person and a better player. So I want to keep doing that.”I felt like I was the best player of my career. I had a great year in 2021. I had three great years there.
So as we move into next year – and it sure hurts – there is still unfinished business. “I did so well that I want to go back and do it again,” he said.Vaughn originally joined the Patriots on a three-year free agent contract in 2021. The first season was very successful and he formed a bond with rookie Mack Jones.But while Bourne was one of New England’s most productive players in his freshman season, he had a smaller role as a sophomore.
With the offense needing to replace longtime coordinator Josh McDaniels, the team attempted a scheme change, which left Bourne looking to replicate his 2021 performance.Another change in the department – Matt Patricia and Joe George are being replaced by Bill O’Brien – and Bourne is scheduled for 2023.
But even after catching a team-leading 37 passes for 406 yards and four touchdowns through the first eight games, a torn ACL brought his promising individual season to an abrupt end.With a knee injury that is currently recovering well, he faces an uncertain path to free agency. The market will determine his value and the new Patriots front office will have to decide whether to keep him until he is 29 years old.
Bourne himself believes he still has a lot of interest in the team and its new offense. “It feels like the glue of the lobby,” he said. “I bring the energy and charisma that I think we need. Everyone brings their own work, but I feel like I’m part of something that helps. I just want to be a good team member. “You don’t want to get cancer or do something you shouldn’t.”Bourne is rescued, but goes into the unknown with the rest of the organization.
Jerod Mayo replaced future Hall of Famer Bill Belichick as head coach, and Alex Van Pelt was hired to replace Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. Now it’s anyone’s guess who will coach the wide receivers.But Bourne isn’t worried about the changes at One Patriot Place. “I see a new era. “It’s new,” he said. “No problem in doing a phenomenal job. I received excellent service from Bill.
It was truly amazing. I think there was a time when something new was needed. Everything will end. I love Bill and everything he’s brought to the table, but I think we need something new right now. I think what Jerod is going to bring is just a new energy and I think it’s going to be really good.”
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