Kendrick Bourne Bio
Kendrick Bourne is an American professional football wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 4, 1995, in Portland, Oregon, he played college football at Eastern Washington before entering the NFL in 2017 as an undrafted free agent. Across his professional career, Bourne has played for the San Francisco 49ers and the New England Patriots, building a résumé as a dependable possession receiver and red-zone target.
Early Life and Background
Kendrick Bourne was born on August 4, 1995, in Portland, Oregon, to an African-American father and a Samoan mother. Growing up in the Portland area, he attended Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, where he developed his football skills and emerged as a college prospect. His multicultural background and Portland upbringing shaped the grounded, workmanlike approach that has come to define his professional career.
At Milwaukie Academy of the Arts, Bourne played high school football and gained attention for his size, route-running, and ability to make contested catches. His high school performance drew recruiting interest from several college programs, ultimately leading him to Eastern Washington, a program known for producing NFL-ready wide receivers. The decision to attend Eastern Washington set the foundation for his transition to the professional level.
Path to American Football
Kendrick Bourne committed to Eastern Washington University, where he played college football from 2013 to 2016. During his time with the Eastern Washington Eagles, he developed into one of the most productive receivers in the Big Sky Conference. His size, hands, and ability to gain yards after the catch made him a focal point of the Eagles’ offense.
Across his four college seasons, Bourne earned multiple conference and national recognitions, including Second-team All-Big Sky honors in both 2015 and 2016. In 2016, his senior season, he was named a Third-team All-American, validating his status as one of the top FCS receivers in the country. Despite his collegiate success, Bourne went unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, but his productive career at Eastern Washington ensured he had a clear path to a professional opportunity.
Kendrick Bourne Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
On April 30, 2017, the San Francisco 49ers signed Kendrick Bourne to a three-year, $1.67 million contract as an undrafted free agent. He competed for a roster spot throughout training camp and began his rookie season as the fifth wide receiver on the depth chart under head coach Kyle Shanahan. Bourne made his NFL debut in the season-opening loss to the Carolina Panthers, and by Week 9, he recorded his first NFL reception, a 25-yard catch from quarterback C. J. Beathard against the Arizona Cardinals. He finished his rookie year with 16 receptions for 257 yards across 11 games without a start.
In his second professional season in 2018, Bourne elevated his role within the 49ers’ offense. He recorded his first NFL touchdown in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions on a four-yard pass from Jimmy Garoppolo, and he went on to start eight games during the year. Bourne finished 2018 with 42 receptions for 487 yards and four touchdowns, leading the team’s wide receivers in both receptions and receiving yards.
San Francisco 49ers Breakthrough (2019–2020)
The 2019 season marked Kendrick Bourne’s emergence as a red-zone weapon for the 49ers. He posted 30 receptions for 358 yards and five touchdowns, tying tight end George Kittle for the team lead in receiving touchdowns. San Francisco finished 13–3, claimed the NFC West title, and earned the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. Bourne contributed in the postseason with a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round and helped the 49ers reach Super Bowl LIV, where they fell to the Kansas City Chiefs. He caught two passes for 42 yards in the Super Bowl loss.
In 2020, Bourne was re-signed to a one-year, $3.259 million deal and continued to serve as a complementary receiving option. He played through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, spending time on the reserve/COVID-19 list during the season. Bourne finished 2020 with 49 receptions for 667 yards and two touchdowns across 15 games, cementing his role as a reliable contributor in the 49ers’ offense before entering free agency.
New England Patriots Era (2021–2024)
On March 19, 2021, Kendrick Bourne signed a three-year, $15 million contract with the New England Patriots. He made his Patriots debut in the season opener against the Miami Dolphins and quickly became a regular target. His 2021 campaign was his most productive, as he set career highs with 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns, while also adding 125 rushing yards on 12 carries. The Patriots finished 10–7 and made the playoffs as the No. 6 seed, and Bourne delivered in the Wild Card Round against the Buffalo Bills with seven receptions for 77 yards and two touchdowns.
Over the next three seasons, Bourne’s role fluctuated within New England’s offense. In 2022, he recorded 35 receptions for 434 yards and a touchdown, and in 2023, he was limited to eight games after suffering a torn ACL in October against the Miami Dolphins, finishing with 37 receptions for 406 yards and four touchdowns. On March 21, 2024, the Patriots signed him to a three-year, $33 million contract extension, though injuries limited him to 28 receptions for 305 yards and one touchdown across 12 games that season. Following the 2024 campaign, Bourne was released on August 27, 2025.
San Francisco 49ers (Second Stint) Era (2025–Present)
On September 9, 2025, Kendrick Bourne signed a one-year contract worth up to $5 million to rejoin the San Francisco 49ers. He made his 2025 season debut in Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints and quickly returned to form, recording three receptions for 32 yards in a road victory. Three weeks later against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football, he was the leading receiver with 10 receptions for 142 yards in an overtime road win.
Bourne’s production continued against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he added five receptions for 142 yards in a road loss. He finished the 2025 season with 37 receptions for 551 yards across 16 games and eight starts, helping the 49ers finish third in the NFC West with a 12–5 record and qualify for the playoffs as the No. 6 seed. His return to San Francisco has provided the 49ers’ offense with a veteran presence and a familiar weapon in the passing game.
Driving Style and Strengths
Kendrick Bourne is recognized for his physicality, strong hands, and effectiveness as a possession receiver who can also produce in the red zone. Listed at 6 feet 1 inch and 205 pounds, he uses his size to win contested catches and gain yards after contact, and he has shown a willingness to contribute on designed carries and trick plays. His ability to line up both inside and outside gives offenses flexibility, and his veteran experience allows him to serve as a reliable chain-mover for quarterbacks.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Kendrick Bourne’s career are his two-touchdown performance in the 2021 Wild Card playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills, his five-touchdown regular season with the 49ers in 2019 that tied for the team lead, and his appearance in Super Bowl LIV following the 2019 season. He has also made cultural contributions outside football, appearing on the song “Red and Gold Timin’” by rapper Miles Minnick in January 2025.
Kendrick Bourne Career Wins
Kendrick Bourne has compiled a productive professional résumé as a wide receiver, with verified career NFL totals of 329 receptions for 4,265 receiving yards and 22 receiving touchdowns as of the 2025 season. His career win totals reflect his role as a complementary but reliable target across multiple offenses, and he has contributed to both division titles and playoff appearances.
NFL Career Highlights
Across his NFL career, Kendrick Bourne has recorded his most productive seasons in 2021 with the New England Patriots, when he set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, and in 2019 with the 49ers, when he tied for the team lead in receiving touchdowns and helped San Francisco reach Super Bowl LIV. His most recent verified season, 2025, saw him return to San Francisco and record 37 receptions for 551 yards as a reliable veteran presence.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his NFL accomplishments, Kendrick Bourne earned Third-team All-American honors in 2016 and was a two-time Second-team All-Big Sky selection in 2015 and 2016 during his college career at Eastern Washington. These recognitions underscored his development as a top collegiate receiver and helped earn him his initial professional opportunity despite going undrafted.
Kendrick Bourne Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Kendrick Bourne was raised in a multicultural household in Portland, Oregon, with an African-American father and a Samoan mother. His family background and Portland upbringing have played an important role in shaping his identity, and he has often spoken about the influence of his family on his path to professional football.
Personal Life
Kendrick Bourne is known to be active on social media, where he connects with fans and shares insights into his life and career. Beyond his public professional profile, he maintains a private personal life, with no widely verified public details regarding a spouse or children.
2025 Season Performance
Kendrick Bourne’s 2025 season was defined by his return to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year contract following his release from the New England Patriots. He quickly re-established himself as a productive target, highlighted by a 10-reception, 142-yard performance against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. His veteran presence helped stabilize a 49ers receiving corps and provided quarterback stability throughout the year.
Bourne finished the regular season with 37 receptions for 551 yards across 16 games and eight starts, contributing to a 49ers team that finished 12–5 and earned the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. Although his individual statistics were solid rather than spectacular, his ability to deliver in key moments and produce in high-volume games reinforced his value as a dependable possession receiver.
Looking ahead, Bourne’s future with the 49ers will depend on his performance in the postseason and the team’s offseason decisions. With one year remaining on his current contract, he has positioned himself as a candidate to continue contributing to a competitive San Francisco offense in 2026 and beyond.