Trading for Deebo Samuel wasn’t enough for the Washington Commanders and general manager Adam Peters. Now he wants a former teammate of Samuel, who offers the same dual-threat skill as a wide receiver, but the Commanders have a problem thanks to Peters’ old team the San Francisco 49ers.
Peters was in the front office for the Niners when they paired Samuel with Kendrick Bourne, and the latter “is visiting the #49ers on Monday and #Commanders on Tuesday, source said. The framework of a deal is in place for both — just in case,” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
That final note about each team already having deals in place is significant, especially in light of the 49ers having the first chance to agree terms with Bourne. He knows the franchise well having played in San Francisco from 2017-20, during which time Bourne and Samuel helped the 2019 squad reach a Super Bowl.
The Niners haven’t been shy about wanting a reunion after Bourne was released by the New England Patriots on Wednesday, August 27 after they couldn’t agree a trade with the Minnesota Vikings, per Andrew Callahan of the Boston Herald.
That news alerted Peters’ opposite number in the Bay Area, John Lynch. The latter told KNBR’s “Murph & Markus” on Thursday (starting at the 9:34 mark), “Anytime a really good football player who we had ties to –Kendrick started his career here– becomes available, there’s going to be discussions.”
It’s a bold declaration from a team-builder confident he has the inside track to a useful veteran receiver. Yet, Peters has his own connection to Bourne, as well the lure of playing with star second-year quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Commanders Should Have Pull for Kendrick Bourne
Maybe he’ll find it tough to leave San Francisco without a deal, but Bourne shouldn’t overlook interest from the Commanders. Playing with Samuel again can revive the career of a 30-year-old who never took his game up a level with the Pats.
As JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports pointed out, citing statistics from Pro Football Reference, Bourne “hasn’t been too productive last few seasons.”
Bourne’s production would surely be elevated by reuniting with Samuel. The Patriots often expected and needed Bourne to be a No. 1 receiver, but defenses facing the Commanders would be more occupied with Samuel and returning go-to target Terry McLaurin.
That would leave Bourne to feast on one-on-one matchups and gadget plays, like the ones that made him a versatile playmaker for the 49ers. He provided the same rushing and pass-catching double act as Samuel.
The latter is tipped to be a big part of the ground game for the Commanders, and Bourne would move around in similar ways. He wouldn’t mind dropping into the backfield alongside Daniels, who’s already one of the best running QBs in the NFL.
Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury would also surely welcome another roving, after-catch playmaker into a still-thin wide receiver room.
Commanders Smart to Pursue Veteran WR Help
Bourne can provide Daniels with another credible option among a group headlined by Samuel and McLaurin, but lacking star power in reserve. The Commanders are waiting on a breakout from second-year pro Luke McCaffrey, while last season’s ‘Hail Maryland’ hero Noah Brown needs to stay healthy.
At the moment, 2025 NFL draft fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane is the best candidate to add some game-breaking potential in support of Daniels’ primary receivers. Signing Bourne would change the picture for the better, provided he’s fully recovered from the torn ACL that wrecked his 2023 season.
There’s also the not-so small matter of the Commanders needing the former undrafted free agent to resist a return to the 49ers.
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