The Patriots’ Kendrick Bourne isn’t eyeing a trade back to the 49ers

Trade rumors followed Kendrick Bourne for much of his term as Patriots. Despite re-signing with the team to a three-year deal in March, his name has been circulating in potential trades this summer and again recently.

The 49ers discussed Bourne with the Patriots this offseason, as the defending NFC champions reportedly wanted him to return as Brandon Aiyuk had wanted to be traded to New England. He didn’t, despite the Pats submitting the highest bid on the year. As for Bourne, he doesn’t want to be traded back to his original team.

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“This is where I want to be. I see myself as a strong footprint for this change, and a foundation for where this place goes, because I helped the Niners in their foundation get to where they are today.Bourne said, via Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald. “And I want to do it here. I’m just kind of ignoring it, but I hear it, but this is true – I want to do it here, you know what I mean? I want it because when it starts to pop, it’s going to pop, and so I want to be a part of it.

“Because San Fran is popping, and I can see it from a distance. But that is not my calling now. My calling is to be here and help these guys here in this organization here.

One of the additions of 2021 that during Bill Belichick‘s uncharacteristic free agency splurge has Bourne impressing at points in New England. The former 49ers role player finished 2021 with a career-high 800 yards and helped the team to the playoffs in Josh McDaniels‘last OC season. While the Pats’ offense cratered at the odd Matt Patricia During the playing season, Bourne was made available when he fell into Belichick’s doghouse. Bourne returned again last season and led the Patriots’ pass catchers with 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games before suffering an ACL tear. But the team still prioritized him during an offseason that included numerous new contracts and extensions.

Bourne, who started this season on the reserve/PUP list, is now 29. Although he re-signed to a three-year contract worth $19.5 million, only $5.5 million is guaranteed. An acquiring team would have Bourne on a flexible contract, and with the Pats rebuilding, it would make sense for the eighth-year veteran to be interested in being dealt. He doesn’t feel like moving at the moment. Bourne is a bit out of place on this Pats roster, as the rest of the receiving corps consists of players drafted for the 2022-2024 season. (KJ Osborn was also acquired during Eliot Wolf(‘s first offseason he was in charge.) But Bourne, who has just four catches for 29 yards in three games this season, told Kyed he’s willing to be a mentor in New England.

The 49ers saw their receiver operation crumble against the Chiefs. Deebo Samuel had to be hospitalized with pneumonia and Aiyuk suffered an ACL tear. Juan Jennings missed the game and did not return to training this week, and Ricky Pearsall made his debut weeks after he was shot during a robbery attempt. Considering Bourne’s four seasons in Kyle ShanahanGiven the NFC West team’s system and the NFC West team’s interest in re-signing him this summer, an emergency return would make sense.

As losers of six straight games, the Patriots have until Nov. 5 to decide whether to move Bourne and their other trade candidates.