Last offseason, the New England Patriots released Kendrick Bourne after he initially made the 53-man roster. Bourne detailed what led to his release in a recent YouTube video.
In the 20-minute video, Bourne outlined how he made the roster, but noticed how there were eight receivers on the roster. He also acknowledged that he knew that just because he made the roster did not mean he was safe from being released. Bourne revealed that before his release, the Patriots asked him to take a paycut, which ultimately led to him and his agent asking for his release.
"Before I got released, that's when all the conversations were happening between my agent and the front office about the paycut. That's what ultimately led to me being released and us asking for a release. I couldn’t let myself be devalued to a vet minimum because once they get you there, they kinda got you there. That's where it got tricky. It was me and my agent’s decision to ask for my release."
Bourne admitted he did not know the Patriots were going to release him, and he was waiting around to see what the team did after conversations with his agent. In the end, he was released and signed with the San Francisco 49ers.
Bourne signed with the 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He spent the first four years of his career there, posting 1,769 yards and 11 touchdowns in very limited opportunities. He signed a three-year, $15 million deal with the Patriots before the 2021 season. In 2021, he had a career year, posting 800 yards and five touchdowns on 55 receptions and just five starts.
He had 1,145 yards and six touchdowns in the next three seasons, and ultimately did not survive the new regime's roster cuts. Last season, he had 551 yards in 16 games for the 49ers. He played great when the Patriots were dealing with injuries in the receiver room. He had 142 yards in back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
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