On Monday September 8, 2025, NFL insider Adam Schefter reported the San Francisco 49ers are signing wide receiver Kendrick Bourne. Bourne’s agency, Disruptive Sports, informed Schefter of the signing.
Bourne’s deal is for 1 year and is worth a maximum of $5 million.
Bourne, 30, was originally signed by the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington in 2017. He played his first four NFL seasons, from 2017-2020, with the 49ers.
During his time in San Francisco, Bourne hauled in 137 catches for 1,769 yards and 11 touchdowns. He helped the 49ers to reach Super Bowl LIV against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Bourne’s best season as a 49er was in 2020. That year he played in 15 games (5 starts) for San Francisco and hauled in 49 catches for 667 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Since departing the 49ers, Bourne has spent four seasons with the New England Patriots. With New England, he made 155 catches for 1,945 yards and 11 touchdowns.
New England released him on cutdown day, Wednesday August 27, 2025, and the 49ers have been trying to sign him ever since.
Bourne Returns To Familiar, But Unfamiliar Situation
The 49ers likely pursued Kendrick Bourne so heavily because he knows the Kyle Shanahan offense.
Shanahan has been a successful offensive playcaller throughout his NFL career, but his offense is notoriously difficult to learn quickly, especially for NFL veterans.
That’s why, despite several key injuries throughout the 49ers’ wide receiver room, they didn’t trade for or sign any key veterans to help them navigate their injury losses.
Bourne knows the Shanahan offense better than most people. What will be interesting to see, however, is how he works with quarterback Brock Purdy.
Purdy joined the 49ers in 2022 after Bourne had already left, so he’s never thrown a pass to Bourne.
While Bourne likely won’t miss a beat in the Shanahan offense, he will still have to develop his chemistry with Purdy.
Bourne Signing Comes After Receiving Corps Disaster
The 49ers are desperate for wide receiver help after what truly was an atrocious day for their receiving corps at large in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks.
Only two wide receivers caught a pass for the 49ers: Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings. Pearsall is the only wideout who had what could be considered a “good game.”
To make matters worse, Jennings, and tight end George Kittle both went down with injuries during the game. The severity of each player’s injury is yet unknown, they are both set to undergo MRIs early this week.
But if either of them are out for an extended period, that is going to be a colossal blow for the 49ers receiving corps.
Rookie Jordan Watkins also missed Week 1 with an ankle injury. Perhaps he can come back and make an impact.
But Russell Gage, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Skyy Moore were essentially nonfactors at the wide receiver position.
Purdy had to get creative, throwing to his running backs, fullback Kyle Juszczyk and even backup tight end Jake Tonges to will the 49ers offense to victory.
Now, he’ll have a target in Bourne that at worst will be a good rotational receiver and profiles similarly to Jennings if Jennings has to miss time.
49ers fans, what do you think of the wide receiver position group? Are you excited to see Kendrick Bourne coming back?
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