New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne opened up about a toxic locker room culture that was prevalent in 2022 and 2023, as New England continued to struggle.
The wide receiver struggled on the field in his own right. He was basically shut out from the entire offense in 2022 and ended up recording only 35 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown.
However, things were off to a more promising start in 2023, before he suffered a season-ending knee injury in October. He ended up tallying 37 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns in eight games.
Bourne noted that the locker room culture wasn’t the easiest to deal with over the past two seasons with the team posting a combined 12-22 record. He elaborated on those feelings when asked a question about quarterback Mac Jones’ standing in the locker room.
“I think it was just two years of roughness, rebuilding and trying to find who we were. And I think it was kind of a toxic place,” said Bourne, when appearing on the Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio. “People pointing the finger and things like that in the locker room. Not too bad, but you could feel the energy. I’ve been a part of a winning locker room, as you know, in San Francisco. It was just different. It was harder to get through those situations.”
Kendrick Bourne keeps it real about Matt Patricia and Mac Jones. @BournePoly11 @CBSSportsRadio #ForeverNE pic.twitter.com/HOZtQKPh2H
— Zach Gelb (@ZachGelb) February 7, 2024
The Patriots organization hope to get back to their winning ways with the new coaching staff beginning to take shape.
Bourne is set to be a free agent, but he has stated he wants to come back to New England. There appears to be mutual interest from the Patriots’ side as well. Time will tell if both sides can put the drama in the past and move towards a brighter future.
The Patriots are in desperate need of offensive weapons, and Bourne has been one of their best since he joined the team.
