Kendrick Bourne Eyes 49ers Return After Productive Season, Despite Lingering Concerns
Kendrick Bourne is back on the free-agent market, but don’t count out a reunion with the 49ers just yet. After a solid 2025 campaign in San Francisco, the veteran wide receiver has made it clear: he’d like to run it back with the Niners - if the fit is right.
“This year went great,” Bourne said. “Hitting free agency this year, it's gonna be fun. I want to go back to San Fran, so that's the plan, but it's all got to make sense.”
That’s a fair stance for a player who proved his value in 2025. Bourne hauled in 37 catches for 551 yards over 16 games, stepping up in a season where the 49ers’ receiving corps was hit hard by injuries. He was one of the few wideouts who stayed healthy and available - a consistency that earned him a performance bonus and gave the team some much-needed stability down the stretch.
With Jauan Jennings' future still uncertain, Bourne presents a compelling option for the 49ers - whether as a reliable depth piece or a veteran presence in the locker room. He’s not a WR1, but he’s the kind of guy who knows the system, runs crisp routes, and brings energy to the field and sideline alike.
But Bourne’s return isn’t guaranteed, and part of the conversation around his decision involves some personal concerns - namely, the 49ers’ practice facility and its proximity to an electrical substation. Bourne has previously raised questions about the condition of the practice fields, noting that certain areas of the grass closer to the substation appeared to brown more quickly than others. While he acknowledged the substation has been there for years and didn’t stop him from suiting up in 2025, it’s clearly something he’s keeping in mind.
He referenced a study suggesting that long-term exposure to low-frequency electromagnetic fields could potentially weaken tendons - a claim that’s been met with skepticism from medical experts, who say there’s no conclusive evidence linking EMF exposure to injuries. Still, it’s worth noting that the Niners did deal with a rash of soft-tissue injuries last season, with stars like Nick Bosa, George Kittle, and Mykel Williams all missing time.
Whether those injuries are coincidental or connected is up for debate, but Bourne’s concerns haven’t diminished his interest in returning. The focus now shifts to the front office - will the 49ers bring him back? With his production, availability, and familiarity with the offense, Bourne makes a strong case for a new deal.
At the end of the day, this is a player who wants to be in San Francisco. If the numbers line up and the team sees value in his return, there’s a real chance we’ll see No. 84 back in red and gold next season.