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6 Patriots Immediately on Thin Ice to Begin 2025 Offseason

Now that the disappointing 2024 NFL season is over, these six New England Patriots players have found themselves on thin ice to begin the 2025 offseason.

By Devon Platana

New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne (84) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the fourth quarter at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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New England Patriots fans can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the 2024 NFL season is in the books.

There were few positives to be found this season on either side of the ball as the Patriots finished with a losing record for the third consecutive season. Considering how the franchise hasn't suffered three sub-.500 seasons in a row since the early 1990s, it's safe to say that management has a lot of work to do in the offseason.

Although adding new players — via the draft and free agency — is a part of the offseason experience, so is saying goodbye to familiar faces.

After the season they just had, these six Patriots are on thin ice to begin the 2025 NFL offseason.

1. Kendrick Bourne, WR

Patriots fans were curious to see how Kendrick Bourne would perform this season after tearing his ACL in 2023. Even though the veteran wide receiver couldn't finish the previous campaign, that didn't stop New England from signing him to a three-year, $33 million extension in March.

Bourne made his season debut in Week 4, however, he's rarely looked like his old self since then. In 11 games with the Patriots before Week 18, the former Eastern Washington WR only mustered up 293 receiving yards and a touchdown on 26 catches.

For comparison, he racked up 37 receptions for 406 yards and four TDs in only eight outings during the 2023 campaign.

Slated to have his 29th birthday in August, Bourne is at the stage of his career where he might not improve anymore. If he can no longer be an effective contributor, the Patriots could seek to part ways this offseason. They can save $5.1 million by trading or waiving him before June 1, however, the savings increase to $6.5 million if they divorce after that date, per Spotrac.

Unless Bourne has a strong start to the offseason activities, he may have already played his final game in a Patriots jersey.

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