Kendrick Bourne isn't playing coy about where he wants to be next season - and if he gets his way, he'll be wearing red and gold again in 2026.
The veteran wide receiver, speaking from Super Bowl Radio Row, made it clear that his heart - and maybe his future - lies in San Francisco. After returning to the 49ers in 2025 for a reunion season that was equal parts emotional and productive, Bourne is eyeing another run with the team that originally took a chance on him back in 2017.
“I look at it as positive,” Bourne said of his 2025 campaign. “Obviously, we all know we dealt with injury and everything, but it definitely gave us a footstool to step up to the next step.
So, getting some guys back healthy is going to help us next year. Hopefully, I come back.”
That “hopefully” carries some weight. Bourne’s about to hit free agency again, and while he’s been through this process before - signing with the Patriots in 2021 after his first stint with the Niners - this time around, he’s not just chasing the biggest number on a contract. He’s looking for fit, familiarity, and a chance to win.
“Just looking for the right system, right team,” Bourne explained. “Kyle [Shanahan] fits everything that I do.
So that’s who I’ve been talking to, trying to understand. I’m trying to come back - that’s always the main focus - but find a good opportunity.”
It’s no secret that Shanahan’s offense has long been a comfortable home for Bourne. The route concepts, the timing, the trust - it all lines up with what Bourne does best. And while the business side of the NFL is always lurking, Bourne made it clear that dollars aren’t driving the decision.
“Money talks, but it’s not all about the money for me,” he said. “I’m trying to have some good experiences, win some games - and the Niners do that for me.”
That mindset was echoed in his exit interview with Shanahan, a conversation that Bourne described as natural and constructive. According to Bourne, Shanahan praised his approach and performance, and the two shared a mutual understanding of what the wideout brings to the table.
“He loved how I played,” Bourne said. “He loved how I approached it.
We have a good relationship from the beginning. It was a natural, organic conversation about ways I can get better.”
And while no guarantees were made, the door certainly wasn’t closed.
“He’s like, ‘We love you, KB. We love how you approach it.
We know we have a spot for you,’” Bourne recalled. “It’s just numbers.
They have to look at the combine, all that other stuff, other players, so time will tell. But that relationship is definitely strong.”
For Bourne, this isn’t just about scheme fit or playing time. It’s personal.
San Francisco is where he got his start. It’s where he built his name.
And after a few years away, coming back felt like coming home - in every sense of the word.
“San Fran is home, as we know,” he said. “Coming home this year was one of the best experiences of my life that I never thought I’d go through.
That is holding strong in my heart. So, come on, Kyle.”
At this point in his career, Bourne isn’t looking to be the top dog in a receiving corps. He knows his value - and it’s rooted in versatility, reliability, and the ability to rise to the moment when called upon.
“I’m really looking for a good receiver three role,” Bourne said. “I don’t care about being number one, number two.
I understand that I can play a role. I want to come in on third down and dominate … be versatile, whatever coach needs.
I showed this year that I can be a number one when the time is needed... That’s the kind of market I’m fishing in, and we’re going to see who’s going to bite.”
Whether the 49ers bite remains to be seen. But if Bourne has his way, his second chapter with San Francisco won’t be the last. And if Shanahan sees the same value in Bourne that Bourne sees in the 49ers, a third act might just be in the works.