The New England Patriots will face some difficult roster decisions this winter. While fans are eager for the team to bring in new talent, they will also need to part ways with certain players.
One potential cut is wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
Bourne has struggled to meet expectations since signing a three-year contract last year. His first season under the deal saw him record just 305 yards and a single touchdown.
After suffering an ACL injury in 2023, he returned but wasn’t quite the same player. Despite showing promise that year with 406 yards and four touchdowns in just eight games—suggesting he could develop into a 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown receiver—his performance in 2024 fell well short of that mark. This poses a problem for a Patriots team looking to rebuild.
According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, the Patriots may be ready to move on. He predicts they will release Bourne this offseason, a decision that would clear $4.9 million in cap space.
“A year ago, the Patriots signed Bourne to a three-year deal. But that contract doesn’t have many guarantees after 2024, and the Pats could easily get out of the deal,” Graff explained.
Cutting a player who hasn’t delivered while freeing up cap space makes sense for New England. Replacing him shouldn’t be too difficult, whether through free agency, internal options, or the draft.
