The San Francisco 49ers have benefited from the connection between quarterback Mac Jones and wide receiver Kendrick Bourne this season.
Bourne, though, took a minor swipe at the New England Patriots in explaining Jones’ resurgence in San Francisco.
Bourne and Jones were teammates together in New England and had some good success. The veteran receiver’s best statistical season came in 2021, which was Jones’ rookie year in the NFL and one in which he earned his first and only Pro Bowl.
In assisting that case, Bourne hauled in 55 catches for 800 yards and five touchdowns that year.
It seems that connection has not gone away even though the two are now with the Niners. Bourne appeared on KNBR 680 recently and was asked about why Jones has enjoyed such great success with San Francisco after things flamed out with the Pats.
Interestingly, Bournee threw some subtle shade at his former team in the process.
Kendrick Bourne tosses shade at Patriots amid Mac Jones’ success with 49ers
“He’s been able to be more free and like, who he is and showing it,” Bourne said. “You know, obviously over there it’s more strict, it’s more blue collar and that’s how they operate. But here, it’s more about being yourself and being a professional at the same time.”
Bourne is not exactly breaking any news by saying the vibe in New England under then-head coach Bill Belichick was strict. That is how they did things in New England for a long time, and it garnered excellent results even if Belichick is now struggling at the University of North Carolina.
Boston has always had a strict, puritanical vibe compared the free-loving and more open spirit of San Francisco. Some may thrive in the former while others thrive in the latter.
It seems Jones and Bourne are both better suited for the Bay. They are guys who like to be silly and have fun, but when it is go time, they lock in and can deliver the goods. The two hooked up to great effect last Thursday against the Los Angeles Rams as Bourne had a career game, hauling in 10 passes from Jones for 142 yards.
Bourne has definitely seems to have a better chemistry with Jones than quarterback Brock Purdy which makes sense given the ties he and Jones share. He may have a vested interest in Jones remaining the quarterback as Purdy works his way back from injury.
Purdy is still clearly the starting quarterback of the team, but the 49ers should be careful and not bring him back until he is healthy, especially with how well Jones has played in place of him.
The Niners should consider themselves lucky that they have both Jones and Bourne hooking up with their starting quarterback and top wide receivers injured.
And Jones and Bourne seem much happier in the more chill environment of California compared to the strictness of Boston.
Resurgent 49ers WR has a vested interest in Mac Jones remaining the starting QB
The connection is undeniable.
After recently returned San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne’s brutal performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4, it seemed like he was in danger of falling down the depth chart or even being cut once other receivers got healthy.
However, after a resurgent performance against the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, he is back in good graces for San Francisco.
Bourne hauled in 10 catches on 11 targets for 142 yards in the Week 5 showdown, and it was nothing short of an epic performance.
Plus, Bourne was clearly quarterback Mac Jones’ favorite wide receiver target.
This should not come as a huge surprise, given that Jones and Bourne were teammates together with the New England Patriots.
Bourne had his best season as a pro back in 2021, which perhaps not so coincidentally, was Jones’ rookie season in the NFL. Bourne had 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns that year.
It is clear the chemistry the two established in New England has carried over to San Francisco. In the games Bourne has played in with Jones as quarterback, the veteran pass catcher has looked solid and comfortable. However, his one game with Brock Purdy at quarterback was his worst game of the year as he had one catch for 17 yards and three drops.
This is not to say Purdy is to blame for Bourne having a bad game, but it stands to reason that Bourne is more comfortable out there when Jones is under center, which is why he has a vested interest in Jones remaining the starter.
We do not know the status of Purdy’s toe, and most reports suggest it’s a week-to-week injury. But with the way Jones has been playing, it is safe to assume the Niners will not rush Purdy back this time. They likely rushed Purdy back for the game against Jacksonville, and they paid the price as he was clearly hampered by the injury and reaggravated it.
Bourne may not say it out loud, but he has to be hoping that Jones remains the starting quarterback as long as possible because we have seen how good he has been with Jones as the guy throwing to him.
