Patriots WR Shares Shocking Details of 'Toxic' Locker Room

The last two seasons for the New England Patriots have not been the best, as the franchise went from the gold standard to the basement bottom dweller in the AFC East. In 2022, the Patriots were 8-9, which wasn’t bad considering the competition.

However, things went off the rails this season as New England only won four games, which led to Mac Jones being demoted as the starting quarterback and Bill Belichick ultimately losing his job. 

Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent in March, had a front-row seat to all the drama happening in New England over the last couple of years involving Mac Jones and Matt Patricia.

“I think it was just two years of roughness, rebuilding, and trying to find who we were. And I think it was kind of a toxic place,” said Bourne to Zach Gelb Show on CBS Sports Radio (h/t Patriots Wire). “People pointing the finger and things like that in the locker room. Not too bad, but you could feel the energy. I’ve been a part of a winning locker room, as you know, in San Francisco. It was just different. It was harder to get through those situations.”

When asked why Patricia, who was the offensive coordinator in 2022, put him in the dog house, Bourne had this to say to Gelb.

“Oh man, that’s a good question. Dude, I really don’t know, man. I was coming off my best year, so I was thinking, you know I’m going back in. I’m going to be able to be out there. I guess he just had a different plan, so I’m not sure, man.”

If you remember, Bourne only started in two out of 16 regular season games in 2022 but still had 35 receptions (48 targets) for 434 yards and a touchdown. It was a noticeable decrease in production from what we saw from Bourne in 2021, where he had 55 receptions for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

Even though Bourne suffered a torn ACL in Week 8, the Patriots should look to bring him back in free agency as he’s been one of their best and most reliable pass catchers over the last few seasons.

More Patriots news and analysis: