Kendrick Bourne’s reason for joining Patriots proves why they’ll always be FA destination

Time and time again, Patriots fans have had to hear about why the team’s culture has turned away so many players and that New England was hardly a destination for free agents because of that.

Head coach Bill Belichick runs a tight ship and is never afraid to cut a player loose if the situation calls for it — regardless of said player’s stature.

It’s complicated, though, because we’ve heard many former players decry the Patriots organization, while others have spoken glowingly about Belichick, his approach to the game, and even owner Robert Kraft.

If you ask Kendrick Bourne, he didn’t even need to know about the intricacies of it all to be convinced before signing with the Patriots this offseason.

His response about his decision truly shows New England will always be a destination for free agents, regardless of what the haters say.

Kendrick Bourne spoke to MusketFire about his decision to join the Patriots in free agency

"“It was all about the challenge,” Bourne told MusketFire. “I hear all the rumors about the Patriots, how hard it is … but everybody’s journey’s different, mindsets are different. It was just about me accepting the challenge. I thought, ‘if I could get through this, I could get through anything.’ That was my mindset coming it. It was about their interest in me too. They should me a lot of love. They kind of gave me the plan and set the vision for me, and I just had to do my part. I felt like I made the best decision I could’ve ever made.”"

All about the challenge of throwing touchdown passes?! Check that off Bourne’s list of NFL accomplishments.

But seriously, Bourne’s mentality of wanting to play for an organization that’s known for sometimes chewing up and spitting out players who aren’t up for the grind speaks to who he is as a player. Some guys embrace it. Like he said, there are all different journeys and mentalities. Everyone’s experience is unique.

The Patriots have had a very specific identity for 20-plus years that featured like-minded players embracing the philosophy and winning formula. As long as Belichick is there, the free agents who want to be a part of that culture will continue to come, and Bourne is the latest evidence of that.

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