Kendrick Bourne visiting 49ers, with Commanders lurking
The San Francisco 49ers are currently making their final preparations for the upcoming NFL season, which will begin for them in less than a week. The 49ers have made several big moves this offseason, including signing quarterback Brock Purdy to a new lucrative contract, and are hoping that 2025 is the year they will be able to reassume their position atop the NFC race after a down 2024 season.
One of the hottest names on the market in the last few days has been former New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, whose request for a release from the organization has been granted.
Recently, NFL insider Jordan Schultz provided an update on Bourne's search for a new home that might have San Francisco fans excited.
“Sources: The #49ers are hosting former #Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne for a visit today,” reported Schultz on X, formerly Twitter.
Schultz also noted that “My understanding is that if a deal is not reached with San Francisco, Bourne’s also scheduled to visit the #Commanders tomorrow.”
At the age of 30, Bourne may no longer be the same player he was in the prime years of his career, but he is still a solid veteran who is capable of getting open and making plays happen downfield, which is something the 49ers didn't have a whole lot of last year.
Can the 49ers bounce back?
In 2024, the San Francisco 49ers missed the playoffs altogether on the heels of their 2023 Super Bowl appearance, which they lost in heartbreaking fashion to Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
A large part of the frustration of last year can be attributed to injuries, as Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey both msised significant time, leaving Brock Purdy without two of his most relied-upon weapons.
Now, those two appear to be back healthy and ready to go, and the 49ers could be poised to once again take the NFC by storm, especially now that they may have flown under the radar just a bit.
The 49ers are set to kick off their 2025 season with a road game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday shortly after 4:00 PM ET.
AFC Notes: J.K. Dobbins, Bo Nix, Broncos, Chargers
Broncos
Bo Nix is entering the second year of his career after his breakout rookie campaign in 2024. Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning is confident Nix is “made of the right stuff” to continue being a highly successful quarterback.
“Bo is made of the right stuff. He’s a little bit older, carries himself the right way. And all of it should help as he moves forward in his career,” Manning said, via Troy Renck of the Denver Post. “I am just happy that Bo is the established starter. For a number of years, they had quarterback competitions. That’s hard on the receivers, the coaches, the play-caller, and the quarterback. Now, they’ve got their guy.”
Manning thinks Nix showed talent beyond his years as a rookie.
“I just don’t see that as being a big factor for him. Rookie quarterbacks are supposed to struggle, and then the game slows down. But, it sure looked like it slowed down a lot for him last year,” Manning said. “Like with C.J. Stroud, Bo didn’t play like a rookie. … I believe experience is the best teacher, and he got great experience last year.”
Manning added that playing under Sean Payton for a second season should be beneficial for Nix.
“The continuity, more than anything else. There are times when guys go into their second year, and they are going on their third coordinator,” Manning said. “He has an experienced head coach in Sean, who is his play-caller. Having that same voice and verbiage is so critical. We expect Sean to be here for a long time, so Bo will use that to his advantage.”
Broncos
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins had a resurgence in his career after missing 2022 with a knee injury and 2023 with a torn Achilles. His surgeon, Dr. Neal ElAttrache, said he grew a close relationship with Dobbins and praised him for his perseverance.
“I can’t say enough about him,” ElAttrache said, via Luca Evans of The Denver Post. “I mean, he’s the kind of guy that I would like to have as a friend forever. He’s that kind of person.”
ElAttrache pointed out that damaged ligaments can never return to their previous health, but Dobbins has worked hard on his rehab.
“You never want to expect they’re going to be 22 years old again,” ElAttrache said. “You can’t turn back the clock and go before, when he was that number one (running back) for the Ravens. But, having said that, his performance was still right there.”
Chargers
Chargers DC Jesse Minter still holds on to rejection letters from graduate assistant jobs that he applied to across the country, accumulating 98 in total. Minter said the rejections are a reminder to be grateful for where he is now.
“Because that’s just how I operate,” Minter said, via Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “It’s just that reminder of the joy that it is, the blessing that it is, the opportunity that you have, not to take it for granted and not to ever feel like you’ve arrived.”
Minter said he’s always tried to operate without an ego and build a culture of letting people know their value.
“A lot of coaches have crazy egos, and I think there’s a difference in being confident in yourself and sure of yourself, and then having an ego,” Minter said. “I’ve always tried really, really hard to not have an ego, to really try to build a situation where everybody feels like they have value, where everybody feels like they’re part of the success.”
- Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Chargers RB Najee Harris participated in three-straight practices last week and was cleared for contact on Friday.
