3 surprise cuts the Patriots could make this offseason

Surprise cuts the Patriots could make this offseason

1. Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne

Before the 2022 season began, Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne was perceived as the new face of the franchise. He was always celebrating his fellow players and uplifting his team in press conferences and on social media. But once the season was underway, Bourne lost out on the Patriots spotlight and seemingly fell out of favor with Coach Belichick.

When Belichick was asked about Bourne’s lacking involvement all season, he said there was “no particular reason” for his sparse opportunities. Bourne caught 35 of 48 targets for 434 yards and one touchdown in 2022.

If the Patriots cut Bourne before June 1, they’ll lose $1,416,668 in dead money, but they’ll still save $5,455,882 in cap savings. By comparison, they wouldn’t lose anything for cutting DeVante Parker before that date and they would gain $6,206,250, but the Patriots made a noticeable effort to utilize Parker after trading a third-round draft pick for him.

Yet another factor shaping Kendrick Bourne’s future in New England is the fact that No. 1 wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is set to become a free agent, and it’s been reported that the two sides aren’t close to finalizing a deal.

If the Patriots let Meyers walk, they may turn to Bourne in 2023 — or they could cut ties with Bourne to make more room for Meyers. And if they trade for DeAndre Hopkins as some rumors suggest, then they’ll certainly have to make room in their wide receiver room.