The San Francisco 49ers didn’t need to win on Monday night to punch their ticket to the postseason - they locked up a playoff berth before even stepping on the field. But that didn’t stop them from sending a message anyway. In a 48-27 dismantling of the Indianapolis Colts, the Niners looked every bit like a team gearing up for a deep January run.
Brock Purdy was back under center and back to doing Brock Purdy things - five touchdown passes, total command of the offense, and a reminder of why this team looks different when he's healthy. It was a statement performance, not just in terms of numbers, but in rhythm and execution. The 49ers offense hummed, and Purdy was the conductor.
One of the beneficiaries of that offensive explosion was veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne, who crossed the 500-yard mark for the season - a milestone that triggered a $500,000 bonus in his contract. But here's the twist: most of those yards didn’t come with Purdy throwing the ball.
Mac Jones, who filled in during Purdy’s midseason absence due to turf toe, was the man delivering the ball for much of Bourne’s production. Jones started eight games and led the team to a 5-3 record during that stretch. And when the 49ers needed someone to step into a depleted receiving corps, it was Bourne who stepped up - and it was Jones who kept feeding him.
So, does Jones get a cut of that bonus money? Bourne laughed off the idea, joking, “No, Mac’s not getting anything.”
But he softened a bit, adding, “He should, he should. I might get him something.
He asked me for some Cartier glasses. So, I might not give him no money but I’ve gotta give him a gift.”
It’s a lighthearted moment, but it underscores the chemistry that helped keep the 49ers afloat during a stretch when injuries could’ve derailed their season. Bourne, signed to a one-year deal before the 2025 campaign, has been a steadying presence.
He began his career in San Francisco back in 2017 as an undrafted free agent, spent four years with the Patriots, and returned to the Bay Area after being released during training camp. The reunion has paid off.
With Brandon Aiyuk sidelined indefinitely and rookie Ricky Pearsall missing time - seven of 15 games so far - Bourne has been asked to shoulder more of the load. And the ninth-year pro delivered.
In Weeks 5 and 6, he was the go-to guy, racking up 15 catches for 284 yards on 20 targets from Jones. That’s elite-level production, especially for a player brought in as a depth piece.
On Monday night, Bourne added three catches for 27 yards, bringing his season totals to 36 receptions for 526 yards. Of those, a whopping 448 came with Jones at quarterback. It’s a testament to how well the two connected during a crucial stretch.
Now sitting at 11-4, the 49ers are just a game behind Seattle in the NFC West. But here’s the key: they control their own destiny. Win out, and not only do they take the division - they lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
For a team that’s weathered injuries, leaned on depth, and gotten major contributions from unexpected places, that’s a powerful position to be in. And if Monday night was any indication, they’re heating up at just the right time.