Patriots shut down trade offers for standout receiver
The New England Patriots have reportedly gotten calls about wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, but they've told teams that he is not available, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Bourne started off his tenure with a bang: in his first season with the Patriots, he caught 55 passes for 800 yards, five touchdowns and quickly […]
The New England Patriots have reportedly gotten calls about wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, but they've told teams that he is not available, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic.
Bourne started off his tenure with a bang: in his first season with the Patriots, he caught 55 passes for 800 yards, five touchdowns and quickly became one of QB Mac Jones most reliable targets. In 2022, he saw his role decrease and he finished with 434 yards and one touchdown.
Bourne's lack of production in his second season with the Patriots was a result of less playing time. In 2022, his role dropped significantly. After being the third option in the 2021 offense, he saw his snaps drop to fifth on the team among receivers in 2022. His decreased role led to rumors of him being a trade candidate during the early portions of last season. Despite this, Bourne has always maximized his opportunities, being one of the most efficient receivers in the NFL on a per-target basis.
Bourne has had a strong training camp and preseason, and appears in line to be a featured piece of this offense. Fans have been pounding the table for Bourne to see an increased role, and it would seem the reports that the team is unwilling to trade him should only solidify his projected role for this team.
Featured image via Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
