The New England Patriots were willing to say goodbye to Kendrick Bourne this offseason.
The Patriots in August reportedly had the framework of a trade in place with the 49ers to acquire Brandon Aiyuk that would have sent multiple draft picks plus wide receiver Kendrick Bourne to San Francisco. The deal ultimately fell through due to Aiyuk's unwillingness to play with New England.
That meant Bourne, who began this season rehabbing from a torn ACL, ended up going nowhere. That could have created an uncomfortable situation for the Patriots and Bourne.
But when opening up about being involved in trade rumors for the first time Thursday, the eighth-year wideout credited the Patriots for their professional approach, which Bourne exhibited during that time, too.