The Pittsburgh Steelers are under two weeks away from the 2025 season opener on the road against the New York Jets. Some finishing touches need to be put on the roster after the organization finalized the 53-man group on Tuesday. It will certainly change as additions are made to the roster, which is something that the fan base is looking for. Two areas where the franchise might need some help are at wide receiver and at safety, as quality depth is needed in both areas.
Jordan Schofield / SteelerNation (X: @JSKO_PHOTO)
Steelers' DK Metcalf (4) alongside Wide Receivers Coach Zach Azzanni during 2025 training camp in Latrobe, PA.
DK Metcalf is clearly the top option at wide receiver in Pittsburgh, and behind him is Calvin Austin III and Roman Wilson. Austin has struggled with an injury this offseason that caused him to miss the majority of training camp and the entire preseason, while Wilson is entering his first legitimate season in the NFL after playing just five snaps in 2024. Pittsburgh should look to bring in a veteran who can be a reliable option for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, or at the very least be a quality backup behind Austin and Wilson. An option that fits that mold became available on Wednesday, as Kendrick Bourne was released by the New England Patriots.
Patriots are releasing WR Kendrick Bourne after he requested his release, per source. pic.twitter.com/OGxBOMdHqZ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 27, 2025
Bourne was buried on the Patriots' depth chart at wide receiver, as the team has some good young talent on the roster that was slotted ahead of him. He could provide some decent production for a team somewhere in the NFL, and he would probably see some meaningful snaps for Pittsburgh. He was a name that was watched at the trade deadline for the Steelers during the 2024 season, but obviously nothing ever materialized in that regard.
Eric J. Adler / New England Patriots
Former Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne leaps up to grab a pass during a practice in Foxborough.
The veteran wide receiver has spent the last four seasons with New England, but the previous four seasons before that were with the San Francisco 49ers. He was fairly productive in northern California, and insider Albert Breer pointed out that the 49ers might be the most logical landing spot for their former wide receiver. The 49ers are also currently fairly banged up at the position.
When the @Patriots were trying to pry Brandon Aiyuk from the @49ers last summer, San Francisco asked for Kendrick Bourne to be part of the deal. And the Niners are REALLY beat up at the position now, so a reunion is possible. https://t.co/r6UpEQYqZN
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 27, 2025
When the 49ers were thinking about potentially trading Brandon Aiyuk prior to the 2024 season, the Patriots were an option. San Francisco asked to receive Bourne back in the deal, so the interest is clearly there. Bourne is not released to the waiver wire as he is a vested veteran, so he is technically an unrestricted free agent. He will have the choice to choose where he signs, and San Francisco might make the most sense.
AP Photo / Joshua Bessex
Former Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne during a game against the Buffalo Bills.
Steelers Should Have Interest In Kendrick Bourne
As soon as Bourne was released, the Steelers should have been all over it. He has plenty of experience and has been productive in two different spots throughout his career so far. He might not be the level of player that would go over Austin or Wilson on the depth chart, but he should provide some depth behind both of those guys, who have each struggled with multiple injuries throughout their young careers. Bourne would also be relatively cheap for Pittsburgh to bring in, so it could be a low-risk, high-reward signing.
Pittsburgh should probably explore some higher impact moves at receiver before signing Bourne, but he is a good option if nothing else presents itself on the trade market or from players that have been recently released.
What do you think about the Steelers potentially going after Bourne? Let us know in the comments below!
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