On Wednesday August 27, 2025, San Francisco 49ers insider Matt Maiocco reported the Niners are interested in reuniting with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
“The 49ers have “high interest” in bringing back WR Kendrick Bourne, source says, after he gets his release from the Patriots,” Maiocco wrote in a post on X.
The New England Patriots actually kept Bourne on their initial 53-man roster along with seven other receivers, but Bourne reportedly requested a release. He’s coming off a down season with New England and only recently returned from an injury that sidelined him most of the offseason.
The move would greatly help a 49ers receiving room that is otherwise decimated by injury. Bourne would immediately become the 49ers’ most experienced and accomplished healthy receiver.
Bourne’s Ties To The 49ers
The 49ers originally signed Kendrick Bourne out of Eastern Washington University as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
He was able to crack the 49ers roster that first season. He caught 16 passes for 257 yards in 2017.
Bourne’s role increased in 2018, and he played in all 16 games for the 49ers. Bourne made his first career start in October after Pierre Garçon went down with injury, and ended up making 8 starts for the 49ers that season. New starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, who took over midseason, developed a particular chemistry with Bourne.
He caught 42 passes for 487 yards, both of which led the 49ers. He also hauled in 4 touchdowns.
Bourne’s production dipped a bit in 2019 as the 49ers’ other receiving talent improved, but he still tied for the team lead with 5 touchdown catches and help the 49ers make a run to the Super Bowl.
Bourne’s most productive season in a 49ers uniform was 2020, when he hauled in 49 catches for 667 yards despite missing two games. He also had two touchdowns that year.
The Patriots signed Bourne in 2021, and he’s had four productive seasons with them, mostly in a reserve role. That includes the best season of his career in 2021 when he had 800 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.
At 30 years old, he should have plenty left in the tank to help Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers offense this season.
49ers Add Another Wide Receiver
According to his agents, the 49ers are signing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in the wake of his release by the Seattle Seahawks.
Valdez-Scantling is a 7 year NFL veteran who has played for the Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints.
With 4.3 speed, he specializes in the deep passing game. In 2020, he led the NFL with 20.9 yards per reception and overall in his career has a whopping 17.4 yards per catch.
Valdes-Scantling is also a two-time Super Bowl champion, both with the Chiefs.
The 49ers likely won’t have a healthy superstar #1 target at wide receiver for Brock Purdy in Week 1. But at least they’re finally making moves to add receivers that have had significant NFL success.
Plus, they’ll have George Kittle at tight end and Christian McCaffrey at running back.
49ers fans, do you want to see Kendrick Bourne come back to San Francisco?
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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