Kendrick Bourne 49ers Adam Schefter
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Kendrick Bourne runs out of the tunnel prior to the 49ers' NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the Vikings on January 11, 2020.
The San Francisco 49ers were expected to lose both Jauan Jennings and Brandon Aiyuk in free agency. At the beginning of the NFL’s legal tampering period, both remain unsigned. However, the team still ended up losing one veteran wide receiver on Monday.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Arizona Cardinals have signed wide receiver Kendrick Bourne to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million. After spending a second stint with the Niners in 2025, Bourne has now moved on to play for another NFC West team.
Kendrick Bourne Brought Familiarity to the San Francisco 49ers
Kendrick Bourne
GettyKendrick Bourne is now entering his 10th NFL season.
Bourne originally joined the 49ers as an undrafted free agent out of Eastern Washington in 2017. Over the next four seasons, he would prove to be a steady role player out wide and in the slot. While he wasn’t necessarily a 1,000-yard receiver or anything close to that, he did average over 11.0 yards per catch in each of his four seasons with the team.
Jordan Schultz
Sources: The #Cardinals are signing former #49ers WR Kendrick Bourne on a 2-year deal worth up to $12M.
Bourne has 4,265 yards in his career, including 551 yards last season for San Francisco.
After the 2020 season, Bourne would bolt to join the New England Patriots for four seasons. The 2021 season saw him set career-highs in receptions (55), receiving yards (800), and catch percentage (47.1). After 2024, he returned to the Niners on a one-year deal and would go on to eclipse 500 receiving yards for the first time since 2021. His familiarity with head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offensive system helped both quarterbacks, Brock Purdy and Mac Jones, find success.
Bourne will now look to be a security blanket in the desert for whoever the Cardinals decide to start at quarterback under first-time head coach Mike LaFleur.
The 49ers Have Already Found a Replacement for Kendrick Bourne
The Cleveland Browns are expected to pursue Mike Evans in free agency.
GettyThe 49ers signed Mike Evans to a three-year deal on Monday.
A solution to the loss of Bourne came quite quickly on Monday from San Francisco. The organization was able to sign future Hall of Fame wide receiver Mike Evans to a three-year deal worth $60.4 million.
The six-time Pro-Bowler is one of the greatest Buccaneers in history and will now be leaving Tampa Bay after 12 seasons. He started his NFL career with a league-record 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. The former Texas A&M star dealt with an injury-riddled 2025. Now appearing to be fully healthy, he will look to bring his big-play ability and mismatch potential with him out west.
The former Super Bowl champion is looking to make a big impact on a win-now team in Santa Clara. The offense that he will be joining includes the likes of Purdy, All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey, and All-Pro tight end George Kittle, who is hoping to return from a torn Achilles at some point during the 2026 regular season.
While this team is getting older, it still appears to be ready to win right now, at least on paper. With an improvement in play from new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris‘s unit, the Niners have more than a chance to compete for a Super Bowl this upcoming year. However, as it always is with this team, health will be a key factor.