Kendrick Bourne
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Kendrick Bourne visited the Commanders on Tuesday.
The Washington Commanders are in the mix for free agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne.
The Commanders worked out the recently released wideout Tuesday after he passed on a deal with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this week.
Bourne was released by the New England Patriots after they claimed quarterback Tommy DeVito off waivers. The ninth-year wideout had 28 catches for 305 yards and one touchdown with New England a season ago.
In 111 games, Bourne has 292 catches for 3,712 yards and 22 touchdowns with the 49ers and Patriots.
Why Are The Commanders Working Out Kendrick Bourne?
Even after agreeing to terms with No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin last week, the Commanders are still hoping to shore up their wide receiving corps around 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.
McLaurin is still getting up to speed and No. 3 wideout Noah Brown has not practiced since being carted off the field during minicamp. Deebo Samuel is the lone option with practice reps this off-season.
So Bourne, who has been a depth receiver throughout his career, could fill in the gap, especially as a depth option who is up to speed — since Brown and McLaurin are expected to be ready to face the New York Giants in Week 1 but may be on a pitch count.
Otherwise, the remaining two receivers on Washington’s roster are inexperienced, 2024 third-round pick Luke McCaffrey and 2025 fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane. Plus, two of Washington’s three practice-squad wideouts, Jacoby Jones and JaCorey Brooks, are rookies as well.
So the Commanders could use another wideout, especially one of Bourne’s caliber, in case of an injury.
Are The Commanders Going To Sign Kendrick Bourne?
The Commanders have to like their chances, especially since he played for the 49ers — and played in the Super Bowl with Kyle Shanahan and Co. in the Bay Area — then tried out across the country. Longtime Commanders reporter Ben Standig pointed that out on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday.
“Bourne is in town now,” Standig reported. “That he already visited the 49ers and still flew cross-country *seems* like a positive sign for the Commanders. We will see.”
The 49ers reportedly made Bourne a contract offer per Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, yet Bourne still wanted to take a shot with Dan Quinn and Co.
Though it seems Bourne spurned the Niners in favor of Washington, it could simply be he wanted to assess his options before making a decision. The Commanders did have the chance to make Bourne a more favorable offer, but these things can take longer than expected.
For instance, Gabriel Davis only signed with the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday after trying out with Buffalo weeks ago.
The Commanders would surely rather have Bourne get up to speed in time for the Giants game Sunday. But they also would play the long game and have Bourne and Brown join Samuel and McLaurin in time for the heavyweights on their schedule — like the Kansas City Chiefs (Week 8), Detroit Lions (Week 10), Minnesota Vikings (Week 14) and two dates with the reigning Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles (Weeks 16 and 18) over the season’s final three weeks.