Former Super Bowl LIV WR Criticizes Patriots After Mac Jones’ Success with 49ers
San Francisco, October 11, 2025
Former Super Bowl LIV participant Kendrick Bourne, now playing for the San Francisco 49ers, has stirred up the NFL community with pointed criticism of his former team, the New England Patriots, where he and Mac Jones played together from 2021 to 2023.
In an interview with California’s KNBR 680, Bourne opened up about why Mac Jones has been thriving since joining San Francisco. However, instead of just offering praise, Bourne didn’t hold back in taking a jab at his former team:
“In New England, we had to fit a mold—no mistakes allowed, no room for emotion,” Bourne said with a sharp tone. “I get that discipline is important, but there, you’re sometimes suffocated to the point where you forget who you are. In San Francisco, Mac gets to be himself—free, creative, and most importantly, happy.”
The former Patriots wide receiver further emphasized that the rigid environment under head coach Bill Belichick caused many players to lose their confidence and joy for the game:
“The Patriots used to be a great place to learn how to win, but it’s not suited for today’s generation of players. Football isn’t just about discipline—it’s about emotion, passion. In Foxborough, I felt like a machine at times. Here in San Francisco, I get to be human again.”
Bourne and Jones are now rediscovering the chemistry they once had in New England, but this time within the more dynamic offensive system of head coach Kyle Shanahan. In their recent win against the Los Angeles Rams, Bourne recorded 10 receptions for 142 yards, his best performance since 2021.
With the impressive form of this duo, 49ers fans believe the “Mac & Bourne Show” could be the key to propelling San Francisco toward the playoffs—a journey the Patriots can now only watch from afar.
