Former Patriots Wide Receiver Grateful For Bonus Because Of ‘Expensive’ Wife

A former New England Patriots wide receiver may have gotten himself into trouble at home by making an overly candid admission.

After four seasons in New England, Kendrick Bourne returned to the San Francisco 49ers for the 2025 campaign. The 30-year-old unlocked a $500,000 bonus when reaching 500 receiving yards in a Week 16 win over the Indianapolis Colts.

NBC discussed Bourne’s milestone during Sunday night’s 49ers game against the Chicago Bears, via Awful Announcing. Sideline reporter Melissa Stark said Bourne forgot to keep the game ball while celebrating the achievement with teammates.

Stark then threw Bourne under the bus by sharing comments he probably should have kept to himself.

“But it was perfect timing right before Christmas because he said, ‘My wife, Vanessa, is expensive,” Stark relayed, leading to an exasperated, “What?” from play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico. “‘So, she was just as happy as I was.’ Yes, Vanessa, he sold you out.”

Tirico and color commentator Cris Collinsworth joked that Bourne could receive a rude awakening when his wife hears that description.

“He’s dead,” Collinsworth said.

“Exactly,” Tirico replied. “Did he not know this was on the record?”

Bourne took massive steps to earn that performance incentive when collecting 142 receiving yards in back-to-back games alongside ex-Patriots teammate Mac Jones. However, he’s settled for 69 combined yards in the last six games since Brock Purdy returned from a toe injury.

The nine-year veteran entered Week 17 with a chance to earn more money. He’ll net an additional $250,000 if he hits 600 receiving yards, but Bourne is at 551 after registering 25 in Sunday’s 42-38 shootout win.

San Francisco will play the Seattle Seahawks for the NFC West title and conference’s No. 1 seed on Saturday night.