Multiple familiar faces in Foxboro, Mass., might not be with the Patriots next season.
After a string of terrible campaigns, New England should be looking to make significant changes to its roster.
This could result in a slew of new faces occupying lockers at One Patriot Place, but it also could mean exits for a handful of noteworthy players.
Two of those departures could be made by Jonathan Jones and Deatrich Wise, a pair of unrestricted free agents who might not fit into Mike Vrabel’s vision for the club.
And those two could be joined by Kendrick Bourne, who The Athletic’s Chad Graff believes will be released by the Patriots this offseason.
“A year ago, the Patriots signed Bourne to a three-year deal. But that contract doesn’t have many guarantees after 2024, and the Pats could easily get out of the deal,” Graff wrote.
“Bourne, who will be 30 next season, was never a fast receiver and his speed may have taken a hit after his ACL tear. He totaled just 305 receiving yards this season in 12 games.”
Of course, New England would need to make sure its receiver group is stabilized before it cuts Bourne.
The room currently is made up of mostly young and unproven pass-catchers, such as Kayshon Boutte, Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker.
But between free agency, the draft and perhaps the trade market, the Patriots are set to make game-changing receiver additions that would make Bourne expendable.