The Kendrick Bourne drama has lingered for the New England Patriots ever since he was benched in the second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.
There was speculation that he was being punished after getting thrown out of a joint practice session that week in one of multiple fights that broke out with the Panthers.
But according to NBC Sports Boston’s Tom Curran, it was likely due to multiple things with the 27-year-old receiver showing up a “smidge late” to a team meeting as being the final straw. In Sunday’s season-opener, Bourne only played on two snaps in the game, which caught everyone’s attention, including Patriots owner Robert Kraft.
That reportedly prompted a conversation internally that could lead to Bourne being on the field more in Week 2 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“It’s my understanding, I was not told directly, but it’s what I have gleaned: Robert Kraft noticed it, Robert Kraft made his opinion known, and going forward, I think Kendrick Bourne will have a bigger role,” Curran said, during an appearance on Gresh and Keefe.
More from @tomecurran on Kendrick Bourne:
"…It's my understanding, I was not told directly, but what I have gleaned: Robert Kraft noticed it, Robert Kraft made his opinion known, and going forward I think Kendrick Bourne will have a bigger role." pic.twitter.com/Gj5hz2rbx6
— Gresh & Keefe (@GreshKeefe) September 13, 2022
Despite only being in on two snaps, Bourne had the Patriots’ longest play of the game by hauling in a 41-yard pass from quarterback Mac Jones late in the fourth quarter.
Bourne is clearly one of the few players with the explosive playmaking ability to really help the Patriots on the outside. But the real interest here is the fact that Kraft might have voiced his opinion on the matter, which has rarely been the case throughout the years.
The owner tends to let coach Bill Belichick handle the football stuff. But perhaps that’s changing with the team already flailing after only one week into the season.
