Cardinals Sign Free Agent WR Kendrick Bourne for $10 Million

What’s that old saying about making sure you know your enemy?

The Arizona Cardinals signed veteran free agent wide receiver Kendrick Bourne away from the San Francisco 49ers on Monday to open NFL free agency, adding another weapon in what looks like it’s going to be a dismal, rebuilding year in the desert.

“Arizona and former 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne reached agreement on a 2-year $10 million deal with a max value of $12 million,” ESPN’s Adam Schefter wrote on his official X account.

Bourne, 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, was on his 2nd stint with the 49ers in 2025 and had 37 receptions for 551 yards in 16 games. His signing came on a day when the Cardinals signaled they were going into 2026 with Jacoby Brissett as their expected starting quarterback.

“BREAKING: The Cardinals are signing former 49ers WR Kendrick Bourne to a 2-year, $12M deal,” NFL fan account Darts 2 Leek wrote on X. “That’s $6M per year. Bourne had a projected market value of about $3.3M per year — and Arizona pays well above that to bring him in.”

Tony Adame covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos. A veteran sports writer and editor since 2004, his work has been featured at Stadium Talk, Yardbarker, NW Florida Daily News and Pensacola News Journal. More about Tony Adame