Kendrick Bourne’s new contract with Patriots has unusual structure
May 23, 2022; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) speaks to the media at the team’s OTA at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
The New England Patriots re-signed Kendrick Bourne this week to a contract that seemed quite steep for a player coming off knee surgery, but the wide receiver will have to produce in order to earn most of the money.
Bourne and the Patriots agreed to a 3-year deal that could be worth up to $33 million. The base value is $19.5 million. Only $5.5 million is fully guaranteed, however.
According to multiple reports, Bourne will receive $5.5 million next season no matter what, which is the majority of his $6.5 million base salary. Another $2.5 million for 2025 will become fully guaranteed if he has at least 800 receiving yards in 2024. Bourne has another $5 million in incentives for 2024 and $4 million in incentives in both 2025 and 2026.
WR Kendrick Bourne's 3-year deal with Patriots worth a base value of $19.5m with $5.5m fully guaranteed, all in 2024. Pays out $6.5m in all three seasons.
An additional $2.5m becomes fully guaranteed in 2025 if he achieves 800+ yards in '24.
Also has $5.5m in receiving…
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 13, 2024
That is about as team-friendly as it gets for the Patriots. The deal sounds a lot better than a 3-year, $33 million contract for a player who has had only 840 receiving yards combined over the past two seasons.
Bourne signed a 3-year, $15 million free-agent deal with the Patriots prior to the 2021 season. He had 55 catches for 800 yards and 5 touchdowns that year and helped Mac Jones make the Pro Bowl as a rookie. Bourne then ended up in Bill Belichick’s dog house in 2022 before tearing his ACL in Week 8 last year.
The Patriots are in desperate need of more production from their wide receivers, and they are reportedly trying to sign at least one top player at the position. Bourne will have plenty of financial incentive to produce in 2024.