All signs point to one Patriots veteran receiver not being traded amid rumors

The trade deadline is the focus for most NFL fans for the next week, and Patriots fans are chomping at the bit to see who the team might decide to move on from after the announcement of linebacker Joshua Uche going to the Chiefs on Monday.

Many players have been involved in rumors over the past month, mainly receivers Kendrick Bourne and K.J. Osborn, cornerback Jonathan Jones, and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux. That chatter hasn't lightened up in the wake of the team's win over the Jets. If anything, it's heightening after Uche was moved just 24 hours later.

Because it's clear how the new guys in charge in Foxboro like to build the roster, with an emphasis on building through the draft and a youth movement across the board, it makes sense why they are at the top of the list of teams most likely to make more trades.

However, some of the more popular names that have come up in the conversation are starting to look safe from being dealt, with the latest being Bourne.

Don't expect for the Patriots to trade Kendrick Bourne any time soon

After seeing Jones take over the captain role in the locker room, it seems fair to assume he won't be traded ahead of next week's deadline. Although he's taken a different role with the team, the same could be said about Bourne, as he is one of only two veteran receivers currently on the roster.

Besides his invaluable experience and positive attitude, the Patriots are reportedly not too interested in losing him. According to NFL insiders Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, it would take a lot for the team to accept any trade offer involving the wide receiver this year.

"While Kendrick Bourne is the receiver who has garnered most of the trade rumors, it would take a large deal to pry him from New England. A more likely trade possibility as a veteran option is Osborn, who is on a one-year deal and has thrived elsewhere."

It's quite the contrast from what was reported regarding the Patriots' offer to the 49ers in their pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk, as Bourne was allegedly part of the trade package they would send to San Francisco.

Maybe because they backed out of that trade and have since seen the receiving corps struggle, they have realized how important Bourne is and can be to the team, therefore making him unavailable for inquiring teams.

While trading away veteran players who the Patriots could receive the most in return would be a great idea, Bourne was re-signed for a reason this past offseason and continues to prove his value beyond what is done on the football field. He's not producing how they need him to since his return from injury, which is certainly an issue, but it's expected for a player who missed almost an entire year from an ACL tear.

Once he's back to his typical self, he can undoubtedly be a solid weapon for Drake Maye to work with, giving him a veteran security blanket for the next two years. That's enough to make him untradeable in the eyes of the Patriots, and it's hard to argue against that.

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