New England Patriots receiver Kendrick Bourne admitted he ‘did give his best effort’ as the AFC East struggled offensively in 2022.
The Pats failed to reach the postseason as the team stammered to an 8-9 record. Quarterback Mac Jones received much of the criticism as he threw for just 2,997 yards and 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions and competed with Bailey Zappe to start.
New England struggled on offense as the team finished 32nd in red zone efficiency as well as 26th in total offensive yards per game. On Friday, Bourne accepted personal responsibility for the team’s subpar offensive performances last season.
“I didn't give the team my best effort,” Bourne said. “Personally we as players have to be our best so we can give the team the opportunity to win and I feel like I didn't do that. I’ve been grinding, trying to get bigger, weighing more, just being a more solid receiver and being able to do more.”
Across the 2022 season, Bourne registered 35 receptions for 434 yards which was just over half of his receiving-yard total from the previous year when he put up 800 yards. He also only put up a single touchdown - his fewest since his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers - compared to five in 2021.
The receiver’s lower stats came as a result of the Pats offense struggling as a unit. New England quarterback Jones failed to hit the heights of his rookie campaign, but Bourne insisted the mentality is different heading into 2023.
“I don't really go off stats, I go off how I feel, how I look and I just wasn't in a good place, now I just want to avoid that,” Bourne said. “So it was a good learning process, it was good that it happened to me, and it's always good to learn from hard times, struggling times.”
He added: “I feel like last year was tough for all of us. It's all about us growing. I see the growth, I see the focus from everybody, it's different this year. Ready to make it count this year.”
Jakobi Meyers led the Pats in receiving yards last season with 804 yards - but he has joined the Las Vegas Raiders in free agency. New England added JuJu Smith-Schuster as his replacement, although the team are reportedly bringing in DeAndre Hopkins next week for a visit.
Bourne is certainly interested in teaming up with Hopkins following his shock release from the Arizona Cardinals, saying: “Yeah I'm a fan of D-Hop, I don't really know the gist of what's going on but he's a great player. He's just a great leader, it'd be cool to play with a great player so anything that will help us win I'm with.”
