The Chicago Bears are going to need to address the wide receiver room this offseason. They currently just have DJ Moore, Tyler Scott, and Velus Jones signed. Would they be smart to try to sign free-agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne away from the New England Patriots?
Will the Chicago Bears target New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne in free agency this offseason?
Bourne is a former UDFA who started his career in 2017 with the San Francisco 49ers. He worked his way up the 49ers depth chart by being a relied-on blocker, but he also caught six touchdowns in 2019, along with 667 yards in 2020.
In 2021, he signed with the New England Patriots, and it immediately paid off. Bourne recorded a career-high 877 yards. He dropped to 434 yards in 2022, but a lot of that stems from Matt Patricia being defensive coordinator.
Bourne only had 406 yards in 2023, but he was out since week eight due to a torn ACL. Bourne averaged 1.73 yards per route run, which was his second-best rate since 2021.
So, the obvious downside is a receiver coming off a couple of down years along with an injury. However, the upside is that two of his last three years were his most efficient.
Bourne is a better receiver than Equanimeous St. Brown, but Bourne brings almost all of the same attributes as a blocker and route runner that dew the team to St. Brown. They will have to replace St. Brown this offseason, and there may not be a better fit that would be an obvious upgrade.
The injury is a concern but could allow the Bears to add him as a depth option at an affordable price. Is Kendrick Bourne a great fit for the Chicago Bears in free agency?