The New England Patriots have a surplus of younger wide receivers aiming to earn large roles in a revamped passing game entering Drake Maye’s second year in the league.
Yet, one recent report actually sees one Patriots WR as a cut candidate ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne Named Cut Candidate Ahead of 2025 NFL Season
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report pinpointed five veteran players for every team to know who could become available approaching the 2025 NFL season. New England Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne was the first player he named on the list.
Kay wrote, “The New England Patriots have a logjam to sort out at the wide receiver position. They have eight competent wideouts vying for a role in 2025, but itâs highly unlikely they will keep that many when roster cuts are due in.”
Some of those players he is directly competing with for a roster spot all are cheaper options or were brought on board in recent NFL Drafts — with the lone exception being Stefon Diggs, who is coming off of a torn ACL from last season.
Kay added, “While some of these players are shoo-ins to make the teamâsuch as prized free-agent pickup Stefon Diggs and third-round rookie Kyle Williamsâothers like Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker, Kayshon Boutte and JaâLynn Polk will have to prove their worth to the new regime helmed by head coach Mike Vrabel.”
Is Bourne a better player than some of the options currently on the roster? Probably, but his higher salary could be the deciding factor.
Kay discussed the financial implications of parting ways with Bourne by writing, “With Bourne soon turning 30 and due to make $5.5 million in base salary, New England can part ways with the aging veteran in exchange for $6.3 million in cap relief and a paltry $1.4 million dead cap hit.”
What Would the Patriots WR Room Look Like Without Kendrick Bourne?
Bourne has produced some great individual games over his NFL career, but has failed to become a true go-to receiver for the Patriots.
Kay discussed Bourne’s modest production during his time in New England by writing, “Despite spending half of his eight-year NFL career with the Patriots, his contributions have been relatively limited. The wideout has yet to improve upon the 55-catch, 800-yard, five-touchdown stat line he posted in his first season in Foxborough, regressing to contribute a meager 305 yards and one score on 28 catches in 2024âhis lowest marks since his rookie campaign.”
The departure of Bourne would certainly clear the way for some of the younger receivers on the roster to earn an expanded role in the offense.
Kyle Williams and Ja’Lynn Polk feel like two players the organization hope would emerge as consistent producers to help accelerate Drake Maye’s development, but names like Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and DeMario Douglas could also be in line for a large role in 2025.
Kay concluded, “While the Patriots are in the enviable position to cut proven receivers this offseason, many other clubs are not. If Bourne is released, heâll have several suitors among the various teams in the market for pass-catching help.”
If the Patriots were to part ways with Bourne, it would not be surprising at all if he is scooped up by another team very quickly. A reunion with Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco certainly feels like a plausible landing spot for the veteran wideout should he become available.
This move would make sense if the team believes in their younger receivers, but could be a bit counterproductive to part ways with a proven veteran like Bourne if the team hopes to get the most out of Maye in 2025.
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