Steelers Now
The New England Patriots are releasing veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, according to a report by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Bourne was one of eight wide receivers to make the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster, but reportedly requested his release. As a vested veteran, he does not need to clear waivers and is immediately a free agent.
Bourne, 30, is entering his ninth NFL season, having spent four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and four with the New England Patriots. Last season was his least-productive year since his rookie season, as he finished with 28 catches for 305 yards and a touchdown.
Bourne started the season on the PUP list last year and was limited to 12 games. He suffered a torn ACL in 2023 that cost him the final nine games of the season. Before that injury, he had played in 15 or more games for five consecutive seasons.
The Steelers have an acute need at outside wide receiver behind DK Metcalf, and have been considering the likes of Gabe Davis and Marquez Valdes-Scantling to fill that role. Valdes-Scantling was signed by the San Francisco 49ers on Wednesday. Davis remains a free agent.
Compared to those other options, Bourne is more of a possession receiver and less of a deep threat. His 68.1% career catch percentage is by far the the highest of the three, but his 12.7 career yards per reception is by far the lowest.
He has still predominantly been an outside receiver, which is a big part of what the Steelers lack, with Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson primarily working in the slot.
A 6-foot-1, 205-pound receiver, Bourne would slot between Metcalf and the Steelers’ smaller wide receiver options, size-wise. The Eastern Washington alum does not have elite deep speed, having posted a 4.68-second 40-yard dash at the 2017 NFL Combine, but his 6.73-second three-cone drill suggests above-average change-of-direction ability.
The Steelers have five receivers on their 53-man roster, and would need to clear space to sign Bourne. In addition to Metcalf, Austin and Wilson, Ben Skowronek and Scotty Miller made the initial roster at wide receiver.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Another Veteran WR Hits Open Market for Steelers
