After Weeks of Deep Bench Time and Being Dropped to WR4 Despite Solid Play, Former Patriots WR1 Shockingly Praises Drake Maye – And 49ers Fans Are Furious: “He Wants to Go Back to New England!”

Santa Clara, California – The already tense situation with Kendrick Bourne at the San Francisco 49ers has just gotten a whole lot louder after his latest comments about Drake Maye. From being a reliable early-season weapon, Bourne has been demoted to WR4 ever since Ricky Pearsall returned. Snaps have plummeted, targets have dried up, and his frustration is becoming impossible to hide.

Bourne was once the beloved WR1 in New England, and seeing him “frozen out” in San Francisco for the past three weeks has many comparing the two environments. In that context, Bourne suddenly unleashed heartfelt praise for Drake Maye – the young star turning the Patriots into the new power of the AFC:“ He has the kind of energy every wide receiver wants to run routes for. Drake makes everyone around him play better, makes the whole team believe they always have a chance on every single play. That’s the kind of leadership quality you can’t teach – either you have it, or you’ll never touch it.” Bourne shared with clear subtext.

The 49ers community reacted instantly and furiously. They accused Bourne of “pouring gasoline on the fire” right when he’s losing his roster spot. Some fans joked that he’s “already packed his bags and is just waiting for a ticket to Foxboro.” More experienced observers, however, see Bourne’s comments as the honest voice of a player who feels overlooked and still hungry to contribute in a system that actually fits him.

The 49ers remain cautious. Head coach Kyle Shanahan declined to dive deep into Bourne’s words, only stressing that the team has a clear plan for every role. Still, the reality is this veteran wide receiver is no longer part of the offensive priority list. With his contract running only through the end of the 2025 season, the praise sent Maye’s way has only fueled speculation about his next destination.

If Bourne does leave the 49ers in the offseason, the Patriots will obviously be mentioned first. A familiar system, a strong head coach in Mike Vrabel, and a rising quarterback in Maye – everything creates an attractive option. And while his future remains uncertain, Bourne’s statement said it all: “You just want to be somewhere you feel you can make a difference. And sometimes… you know exactly where that place is.”