'I Want to Come Back': Patriots Receiver Reveals Free Agency Hint

Despite an offseason of change for the New England Patriots, Kendrick Bourne recently revealed he is still intent on returning to Foxboro.

It is the beginning of a new era for the New England Patriots this offseason, as they have moved on from coach Bill Belichick after 24 years in favor of Jerod Mayo. While a rebuild seems likely in Foxboro, does it mean the Patriots will let go of many familiar faces?

Current Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne hopes that isn't the case as he reaches the end of the three-year contract he signed with the franchise ahead of the 2021 season.

“I want to come back (to New England). That is a goal of mine. I love being a Patriot — it’s a great environment for a person like me,” Bourne said in a recent interview with ESPN's Mike Reiss. “Being a Patriot helped me grow into the player I am today. I’m thankful for the organization, but you never know. I’ve been in free agency before and I didn’t know what would happen. And I don’t know now.”

Oct 29, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Bourne's three years in Foxboro can best be described as rollercoaster-like. After he made an immediate impact in 2021, finishing second on the team in receiving with 800 yards, only behind Jakobi Meyers, things went downhill the following season. 

Bourne totaled just 434 yards and a touchdown on 35 receptions in 2022, as he quickly became an outcast in an offense led by de facto play-caller Matt Patricia. At the time, it seemed like the 28-year-old wouldn't make it to his contract year in Foxboro and would instead be traded. 

However, despite the rumors of him being on the trade block, it never happened. Instead, changes were made on the coaching staff, as Belichick brought back Bill O'Brien as his offensive coordinator this past season. 

And while O'Brien's return, which lasted just one season before he took the same job at Ohio State, didn't come with the offensive turnaround many hoped for, he restored Bourne's status as a prominent playmaker.

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Bourne totaled 406 yards and four touchdowns on 37 receptions in just eight games before suffering his season-ending knee injury. 

Yet, now, with the changes on the coaching staff as Mayo hired Alex Van Pelt to be his offensive coordinator, the future of Bourne in New England is seemingly just as unclear as it was in 2022. 

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