Bourne Identity: Should Jets Target Patriots Receiver in Free Agency?

The New York Jets’ front office may wish to “keep their friends close, but their enemies closer” when seeking assistance for their offensive, to borrow the classic words of Michael Corleone from “The Godfather.” The New England Patriots receiver, who is a fierce rival of the Jets, is a high-scoring threat who might be a valuable addition to alpha receiver Garrett Wilson. The Jets have a glaring need at the offensive skill positions. Although there is some merit to the proposal, Jets fans may not be overly enthusiastic about Bourne wearing a green jersey this season, calling it blasphemous in Foxboro, Massachusetts.

Bourne had been the team’s leading receiver going into his season-ending torn ACL tear, which occurred on the opening play of the fourth quarter in New England’s Week 8 loss to the Miami Dolphins. In eight games, he had 37 receptions for 406 yards and four

touchdowns. Considering his value and the fact that he was playing in the last

year of a three-year contract he signed with New England in 2021, Bourne has

become entangled in trade rumors despite his productivity. After his injury,

the Patriots were ultimately forced to place the 28-year-old on injured reserve,

which would last until the end of the season.

From the Jets’ point of view, it would make sense to want to hire Bourne. The team’s pass-catchers had trouble because of the quarterback’s subpar play and bad talent management. Pro Football Focus actually had them ranked 31st out of 32

NFL clubs. Wilson was an anomaly, catching 95 catches for 1,042 yards and

three touchdowns. The other players on the Jets’ positional depth chart, particularly Allen Lazard, who signed a

four-year, $44 million contract with New York last offseason, failed to make a

significant impact. Lazard only recorded 23 receptions for 311 yards and one

score. Despite the fact that the Jets may only require a receiver on the outside,

Bourne’s adaptability has allowed him to play a variety of roles in the scheme.

During his three The Eastern Washington product has made 127 receptions for

1,640 yards this season in New England, with 10 of those resulting in touchdowns.

Although he can win from either alignment because to his technical skill,

he has appeared more at ease in the Z-receiver position, but he can also

contribute in the slot on occasion. But Bourne has also occasionally been asked

to line up at the “X,” and he has done so with a fair amount of success. Last but

not least, Bourne has occasionally been observed carrying the ball out of the

backfield during planned runs as well as jet sweeps. As a result, if healthy, he

might develop into a dependable target for Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

It is anticipated that New York will have roughly $4.9 million in cap space available in March, when the NFL season

begins. This means that the Jets have the ability to negotiate a fair agreement that

benefits both parties without unduly straining their future financial situation.

On the other hand, Rodgers will focus on the forthcoming campaign, which will be

his second with the Jets. In the previous offseason, the 40-year-old was traded to New York. But on just his fourth

offensive snap of the season, he tore his Achilles. Despite missing almost all of his

first season in New York, Aaron Rodgers hopes to be prepared for training camp

to begin in June. A partnership between Bourne and Rodgers in East Rutherford

has the potential to be advantageous for both parties, as Rodgers is well-known

for favoring adaptable, dependable receivers.