The crowded receiving room in New England has created a lot of controversy throughout the 2024 season. Nearly every player has taken to social media to share their frustration over not being used enough or even being a healthy scratch. That inevitably led to the release of Tyquan Thornton ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Rams, creating an opportunity for another mixup with the starting group in Week 11.
There was a lot of focus on what the decision would be after Jerod Mayo decided to start K.J. Osborn over Kendrick Bourne against the Bears in Week 10, especially since most fans did not agree that the right choice was made.
But the team seemed to make their plans clear by making Osborn a healthy scratch on Sunday and starting Bourne in his place. And it didn't take long for the seasoned veteran to prove exactly why that should have been his fate all along.
On the second drive, Drake Maye marched the offense down the field, and it didn't take long for them to reach the end zone, but this time, it was Kendrick Bourne with the ten-yard touchdown for the team's first points of the game.
He topped it off with an iconic celebration, too.
KB HIT THAT TD CELLY 🕺@budlight | #EasyToCelebrate
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) November 17, 2024
📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/Fezvk39OVK
Bourne has had a slow start this year, and not just because he missed the first month of games due to recovering from an ACL tear suffered last season. The crowded receiving corps has made it difficult for any pass catcher to have a breakout game, but this could be the start of a great day for the veteran as his chemistry with the rookie quarterback continues to blossom.
He could easily become Maye's go-to veteran target outside of Hunter Henry, whom he can consistently rely upon to move the chains. That's proven to be the case thus far, and that's exactly what Maye needs as he deals with a primarily underwhelming supporting cast.