The San Francisco 49ers are staring down an offseason filled with wide receiver questions, and right now, Ricky Pearsall is the only one locked in for 2026. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne?
Both set to hit free agency. But Bourne isn’t exactly packing his bags just yet - in fact, he’s hoping to stay right where he is.
“I’m trying to come back,” Bourne said during an appearance on Richard Sherman’s podcast. “Talked to Kyle.
Got a good relationship, had a good exit meeting. I’m trying to make it happen.”
And it’s not hard to see why the 49ers might be interested in running it back. Bourne didn’t join the team until after Week 1, but once he did, he delivered when it mattered most.
He finished the season with 551 receiving yards - a solid showing for a midseason addition - and his breakout moment came in Week 5 against the Rams. That game?
142 yards and a win, 26-23. Vintage Bourne: stepping up when the team needed him most.
His connection with the organization runs deep. Bourne pointed to his relationships with head coach Kyle Shanahan and GM John Lynch as a major reason he found his way back to the Bay Area in the first place.
“Any players out there,” Bourne said, “don’t leave and go on Twitter. You never know when you might need to come back.”
That line says a lot about how Bourne sees his place in San Francisco - not just as a player, but as someone who understands the culture and the people inside the building.
Now, let’s talk about the numbers. Sure, 551 yards isn’t going to blow anyone away on a stat sheet, but context matters.
Bourne wasn’t in camp. He wasn’t even on the roster to start the year.
And still, he carved out a meaningful role in a receiving corps that was battered and bruised early. The 49ers were in survival mode after Week 1, and Bourne’s reliability became a lifeline.
There’s also the dynamic with Jauan Jennings, who essentially stepped into Bourne’s old role when he left for New England. Jennings has been a third-down security blanket - tough, physical, and clutch.
But with his contract up, the 49ers could be looking at Bourne as a natural replacement to fill that void once again. It’s a bit of a full-circle moment, especially considering how similar their skill sets are.
And let’s not forget the broader picture. Pearsall, while talented, has had his share of injury setbacks.
Brandon Aiyuk’s situation is murky at best - currently AWOL - and Jennings could be gone. That’s a lot of uncertainty for a team that thrives on timing and rhythm in the passing game.
One receiver isn’t going to patch all those holes. But bringing back a guy like Bourne - someone who knows the system, the locker room, and the expectations - would be a smart, stabilizing move.
“San Francisco is home,” Bourne said. “Money talks, but that’s definitely home.”
That quote hits differently when you consider everything he’s been through with the 49ers. Bourne isn’t just chasing a contract. He’s chasing a fit - and for both sides, this one still makes a lot of sense.