Kendrick Bourne requests release from Patriots after roster inclusion
- Kendrick Bourne asked to be released by the New England Patriots one day after being included on the team's roster.
- Coach Mike Vrabel likened the situation to a personal breakup, indicating a need to move on.
- The Patriots will now look forward to the start of the season without Bourne, who may seek a new team.
In the United States, the New England Patriots faced roster adjustments as the 2025 NFL season approached its official start on September 7. On August 27, 2025, Kendrick Bourne made the Patriots' 53-man roster but quickly requested his release from the team. In conjunction with Bourne's request, defensive back Marcus Epps also sought to be released on the same day due to disappointing circumstances. The head coach of the Patriots, Mike Vrabel, reacted bluntly to the unexpected player requests, likening the situation to a breakup between two people that was not mutually desired. He emphasized the necessity of moving forward with roster management in the NFL. It is known that Bourne had previously spent four seasons with the Patriots after joining from free agency in 2021. While his first year with New England was successful, serious injuries affected his performance in later seasons, limiting him to just 20 games in the last two years. Following his foot injury in August, Bourne had not participated in team practices since the beginning of the month. Upon his request for release being granted, Bourne appeared to be interested in reuniting with the San Francisco 49ers, where he started his NFL career. The Patriots had also been exploring trade options for him before he ultimately decided to leave the team, which ultimately resulted in the team receiving no compensation for him. Reflecting on the player requests, Coach Vrabel made it clear that accommodating any release requests is not the current path the team aims to pursue, emphasizing the effort required to build a competitive roster despite personal connections with players.