Where negotiations reportedly stand between Kendrick Bourne, Patriots on eve of free agency

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Where negotiations reportedly stand between Kendrick Bourne, Patriots on eve of free agency

Posted By: jasabacklink March 10, 2024

Patriots

Free agents can begin to discuss and come to terms on a deal with other teams on Monday.

Kendrick Bourne is set to hit free agency. Matthew J. Lee/Globe Staff

Kendrick Bourne has stated on numerous occasions that he’d like to return to the Patriots, but it’s looking more like a certainty that the receiver will hit the open market.

There’s still a “notable gap” between the Patriots and Bourne in contract negotiations as both sides are trying to find a “middle ground,” CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported Sunday.

The clock is ticking for the Patriots to come to terms with Bourne on a deal before he can negotiate a deal with another team. Even though free agency doesn’t officially open until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the legal tampering period opens at noon on Monday, allowing free agents to possibly agree to a contract with another team.

When healthy, Bourne was the most productive receiver for the Patriots last season. He had 37 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games, putting him on pace to set career highs across the board in the seventh year of his career.

However, Bourne’s season ended prematurely due to an ACL tear, possibly complicating the market for the 28-year-old. He recently told NFL Network though that he’s ahead of schedule, noting that the doctor who performed his ACL reconstruction surgery said he could be a “full go” for training camp.

Bourne also iterated that his goal is to be ready by Week 1.

The Patriots made Bourne a contract offer recently, the Boston Herald’s Andrew Callahan reported on Monday. If Bourne hits free agency, the Jets, Rams, Raiders, Bills, and Texans could be among the group of teams who reach out to him as they’ve shown interest in the receiver in the past, according to Callahan. A pair of executives reportedly told Callahan that they’d expect Bourne to receive a contract that’s worth $7 million per year.

That would be a pay bump from what Bourne received when the Patriots signed him in 2021, when he signed a three-year, $15 million deal. Outside of the bizarre 2022 season, Bourne’s best football has come in New England. He recorded a career-high 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns in 2021.

Bourne appears to be just one of the few veteran receivers the Patriots have their eyes on. They’re also reportedly interested in Calvin Ridley, who’s regarded as the top receiver on the free-agent market. They’ve also been linked to Texans receiver Noah Brown. Additionally, the Patriots were among the few teams that had trade talks with the Broncos for Jerry Jeudy before he was traded to the Browns on Saturday.