The San Francisco 49ers are exploring a reunion with wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who is scheduled to visit the team in Santa Clara on Monday. NFL insider Jonathan Jones first reported that Bourne will meet with both the 49ers and the Washington Commanders, while ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirmed the Bay Area visit is set for the start of the week.
Free-agent WR Kendrick Bourne has visits lined up with the 49ers and Commanders next week, source tells @NFLonCBS. Bourne requested, and was granted, his release from the Patriots this week. He spent the first 4 seasons of his career with the 49ers.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) August 28, 2025
Free agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is visiting the #49ers on Monday, per source, cueing a potential reunion with his team from 2017-20. pic.twitter.com/yOFg4lLkiK
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) August 28, 2025
Bourne began his NFL career with the 49ers, spending his first four seasons under Kyle Shanahan after joining the team as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He later signed with the New England Patriots in 2021, but was released on Wednesday, making him free to sign with any team.
Bourne's familiarity with Shanahan's offensive system could be valuable with Week 1 just around the corner, especially given the 49ers' depleted receiving corps.
Brandon Aiyuk continues to recover from ACL and MCL injuries, while Jauan Jennings is battling a calf issue and trying to get a new contract from the team. Second-year wideout Jacob Cowing landed on the injured reserve list after suffering a torn hamstring, rookie Jordan Watkins is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, and the NFL suspended Demarcus Robinson for the first three games of the season.
In response, the 49ers have already signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the practice squad and acquired Skyy Moore in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.
John Lynch weighs in
General manager John Lynch addressed the team's interest in Bourne during a radio appearance on Thursday morning.
"Anytime a really good football player, who we had ties to—Kendrick started his career here—becomes available, there's obviously going to be discussions," Lynch said. "We're trying to evaluate the pertinent information. Kendrick has been hurt in training camp there, so trying to see exactly where he's at and having conversations.
"But we'll let that play out. We'll continue to look into it. Any player who can help us improve our roster, we'll look into, and that's where that is."
Bourne's 2024 season was his least productive since his rookie campaign. He recorded 28 receptions for 305 yards and one touchdown in 12 games, marking his lowest yardage total since 2017. The 30-year-old has missed 14 games over the past two seasons, raising questions about his durability but still offering potential as a reliable depth option.