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Beloved Former 49er Released by Patriots — Issues Emotional Plea to Return to San Francisco

 

Santa Clara, Calif. — August 28, 2025 — Former 49ers fan favorite Kendrick Bourne was released by the Patriots this week, immediately sparking speculation about a reunion with San Francisco. Multiple local reports had indicated the 49ers were “highly interested” should Bourne become a free agent, and that scenario has now materialized: the Patriots terminated his contract at the player’s request.

The interest makes further sense with injuries thinning the wide receiver room, and the team recently adding Marquez Valdes-Scantling to bolster depth—signals that experience and ready-to-play contributors are real needs.

Bourne (with the 49ers from 2017–2020) was a trusted third-down target in Kyle Shanahan’s system: on-time in-breaker/out-breaker routes, strong perimeter blocking for wide/outside zone, and quick integration into 11/21 personnel packages. Given the current context, the 49ers could consider a team-friendly, incentive-laden agreement to preserve flexibility for the 53-man roster and early-season elevations.

In a message to The Faithful, Bourne expressed his feelings about a possible return to Levi’s:

“It was never just the plays—it was the people. The coaches, the locker room, and the fans in red and gold who made San Francisco feel like family. Everywhere else I went, I kept chasing that Levi’s feeling and never quite found it. If San Francisco calls, I won’t blink. I want to put the red-and-gold back on and come home to the 49ers.”

As of publication time, no official signing has been announced by the 49ers. But with the Patriots having granted Bourne’s release and San Francisco said to be weighing a reunion, the door back to the Bay Area is more open than ever.

Chiefs Linked To Saints Super Star With 5x Pro Bowl & 2x All-Pro in Blockbuster Trade, Per Source
Kansas City, MO — According to a circulating on X (Twitter), the Kansas City Chiefs have been “linked” to Alvin Kamara—the New Orleans Saints superstar, five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro—as a potential target ahead of the trade deadline. The speculation has heated up as various outlets have also floated Kamara as a logical “fit” should the Chiefs look to add a versatile, late-season playmaker on offense. At 30, Kamara is a rare dual-threat RB who excels as both a runner and receiver. He tied the NFL single-game record with six rushing touchdowns (Christmas Day 2020 vs. the Vikings), and he has recently been recognized as the Saints’ all-time leader in rushing yards. Across his career: 5× Pro Bowl, 2× Second-Team All-Pro, and a skill set tailor-made for Andy Reid’s motion/spacing concepts—screens, angle/choice routes, safe check-downs, and short play-action. Tactically, if a move ever materialized, Kamara would immediately put stress on short-to-intermediate coverages, force defenses to roll a safety, and give Kansas City intriguing two-back looks alongside Isiah Pacheco on 3rd-and-medium and in the red zone. In this hypothetical scenario, Kamara voices a desire for a fresh challenge after hitting so many personal milestones in New Orleans: “I’ve achieved just about everything with the Saints, and I want a new challenge for myself. What could be better than a team competing directly for a Super Bowl? Just thinking about wearing Red and Gold really excites me.” Source: @nflrums X As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the Chiefs or the Saints regarding any talks. Still, Kamara’s résumé and toolbox explain why his name is quickly paired with Kansas City whenever rumors of an offensive upgrade surface. With 5× Pro Bowls, 2× All-Pro honors, and a proven knack for tilting games as both a runner and receiver, even a whisper on social media is enough to make Chiefs Kingdom perk up.