Patriots Receiver Faces Demotion After ‘Less-Than-Stellar’ Offseason

NFL analysts had high expectations from New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne, but his offseason was a bid disappointing. Bourne was a key player for the team last season. What happened in the last few months?

Bourne’s preseason was filled with disappointment. Patriots assistants aren’t that confident about his role with the team. That’s not all. Bourne’s attitude changed, too.

Karen Guregian from the Boston Herald discussed Bourne’s current situation with the Patriots. The receivers coach couldn’t ignore Bourne’s struggles. He was even eliminated from the Carolina Panthers scrimmage. “We’re going to play the guys who deserve to play,” Brown noted.

“Obviously, he hasn’t had the type of offseason that he had last year, but he’s been working at it just like everybody else,” Brown said Monday in a video conference. “He’s coming along, and he’s getting more and more reps as the camp goes on here. As we go into the first game here, he’s getting more and more reps.”

Patriots receiver saw many struggles in the offseason

Bourne may not join his teammates in the first game against the Miami Dolphins. Bill Belichick may go with DeVante Parker, Jakobi Meyers, and Nelsgon Agholor. There are several options for the team and Agholor is predicted to have a brilliant season. In other words, there may be no room for Bourne. He may go from key player to an obstacle. This would be a big blow for the talented receiver. He is coming off of a career season. The veteran is not prone to injuries and this makes him an ideal option. Unfortunately, he may see less action than predicted.

Belichick has enough young receivers on his roster. Tyquan Thornton is injured and Kristian Wilkerson suffered a concussion. When healthy, these could easily steal Bourne’s job.

There’s another option. Ty Montgomery can work his way back from the ankle injury he suffered in the preseason finale against the Las Vegas Raiders. He is a valuable option and he may play a pass-catching in 2022. Everyone seems to be a better option than Bourne.