49ers WR Kendrick Bourne gives heartfelt message about the start of the 2025 NFL season: “There’s growth in adversity”
Wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is back where he started in 2017 with the 49ers, and embracing every moment of his challenging journey to get there.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne is embracing every moment of his return to the Bay Area, and every challenge that comes with it. After a roller-coaster offseason that saw him battle injury, face release, and then re-sign with the 49ers, Bourne is using faith and perspective to navigate what he calls a season of “growth through adversity.”
Kendrick Bourne on 49ers comeback: “There’s growth in adversity”
In an interview on “The Insiders”, Bourne reflected on the emotional journey that brought him back to San Francisco and how he’s approached the early weeks of the 2025 NFL season.
"Being back has been fun."
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 8, 2025
Fresh off 10 catches for 142 yards, @49ers WR Kendrick Bourne stopped by The Insiders with @TomPelissero to talk about going back to San Francisco and making an impact 🙌 pic.twitter.com/98OMeiwWdo
“I just want to thank God, man, for everything he’s done in my life,” Bourne said. “It’s been fun being back with my guys, building new relationships, learning as I go. As you guys can see, my energy, how I feel, how I’m playing...it’s been fun.”
Bourne’s path back to the 49ers wasn’t straightforward. After a training camp filled with uncertainty, including trade rumors, a release, and a brief stint as a free agent, he found himself back where it all started. Instead of frustration, Bourne saw the experience as an opportunity for spiritual and personal growth.
“Release was a first experience for me. Something new. But adversity builds a lot, man. You know what I’m saying? There’s growth in adversity,” said Bourne. “And I think that’s what I was going through.”
“So to be let go, I was just like, ‘okay, what’s next? What’s going to happen?’ And it all happened so fast,” he continued. “Learning through the hardships, learning through being uncomfortable, trying to get comfortable, being uncomfortable, got me to right here where I’m at right now.”
Since rejoining the 49ers, Bourne has brought both production and leadership to a locker room that’s battled through injuries and lineup changes. With quarterback Brock Purdy sidelined, Bourne has been catching passes from Mac Jones, his former teammate in New England, a partnership he says has been a natural fit.
“You never know when the opportunity’s going to present itself,” Bourne said. “You just have to be prepared... mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, everything and every aspect and and you have the opportunity and you’re ready to seize the moment. That’s what [Jones] is doing right now.”
Even with uncertainty around who will suit up each week, Bourne believes the 49ers’ depth and resilience have been their biggest strengths. Despite the early-season turbulence, San Francisco sits at 4-1, preparing for a key matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.
“Every week is different,” Bourne said. “We have depth on the team. So you have younger guys and they need to develop, but you also have vets in the room that’s been through it. I think it’s super important. I think that’s been one of our strengths on his team right now... We’re also just getting ready this week, resting up now and just be ready to go to war.”
For Bourne, the chaos of the offseason has turned into gratitude and motivation. His message to fans and young players alike is to keep believing, no matter how uncertain things get.
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