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Commanders, 49ers Expected to Battle in Free Agency for Veteran WR

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dan Fappiano | Last updated Sep 1, 2025 12:52 PM ET

Both the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers are eyeing wide receiver help before the start of the 2025 NFL season. Luckily for them, the New England Patriots made it much easier to find a veteran option in free agency.

The Patriots decided to release Kendrick Bourne over the offseason after he spent four years with the franchise. Injuries took a major toll on his last two years. He suffered an ACL tear in 2023 before a foot injury limited him to 12 games in 2024.

Still, Bourne is a respected pass catcher around the NFL. The 49ers will get a close look at the wide receiver when they host him for a visit on Monday. On Tuesday, Bourne will visit the Commanders, via NFL insider Jordan Schultz. While neither team is guaranteed to sign him, it's at least clear both franchises are atop Bourne's landing spot list.

Sources: The #49ers are hosting former #Patriots WR Kendrick Bourne for a visit today.

My understanding is that if a deal is not reached with San Francisco, Bourne’s also scheduled to visit the #Commanders tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/WGKDoL9UHe
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) September 1, 2025

Commanders, 49ers battle for Kendrick Bourne

The Commanders have already made a major addition at wide receiver, landing Deebo Samuel in a trade from the 49ers, coincidentally enough. Washington recently signed franchise star receiver Terry McLaurin to a new three-year contract extension worth up to $96 million.

However, the Commanders have found a gold mine in quarterback Jayden Daniels. They want to surround him with as much talent as they can. Furthermore, while McLaurin and Samuel are a dynamic duo, Washington's wide receiver depth chart is a bit barren beyond them. Bourne would add a veteran presence and key safety blanket for Daniels.

The 49ers are not only dealing with the loss of Samuel, but a number of injuries to their wide receiver room. Brandon Aiyuk was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list and is out for at least the first four weeks of the season. Jauan Jennings' status for Week 1 is uncertain due to a calf injury, and his expiring contract isn't helping matters either. The team landed Skyy Moore in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, but it's clear they need more depth at the position.

Bourne did spend the first four years of his NFL career with the 49ers. He set a career high with five receiving touchdowns in 2019, before matching the mark in his first season with the Patriots. Over his entire eight-year tenure in the league, Bourne has caught 292 passes for 3,714 yards and 22 touchdowns.

At this stage of his career, the 30-year-old may not be the flashiest free agent available. But to at least the 49ers and Commanders, it's clear he would be an asset in their offense. Depending on how his visits go, he could be donning either jersey before Week 1 of the regular season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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