Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne wants to re-sign in New England during next month’s free agency, he told ESPN.

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“I want to come back (to New England). That is a goal of mine. I love being a Patriot. It’s a great environment for a person like me,” Bourne said. “Being a Patriot helped me grow into the player I am today. I’m thankful for the organization, but you never know. I’ve been in free agency before, and I didn’t know what would happen. And I don’t know now.”

Bourne, 28, is coming off a torn ACL he suffered during the Patriots’ loss at Miami last October. He told ESPN he expects to be ready for the 2024 season opener, as he continues to rehab with a physical therapist who lives with him in Portland, Oregon. Bourne said most days he works on stretching and mobility work in the morning and conditioning in the afternoon.

Bourne had been tracking for a career year in New England, where he remained the team’s leading receiver weeks after his season-ending injury. He broke out in 2021, his first year with the Patriots, who signed him as a free agent from San Francisco earlier that spring. That season, he caught 55 passes for 800 yards and five touchdowns.

Bourne’s success that season and fit in the New England culture are main reasons he said he wants to return.

“In 2021, I had my best year. In 2022, I struggled. Then last year I was on my way to having my best year and made a lot of changes in my life — I became a better man, a better football player, being married, just my mindset. The Patriots were a big part of that and I don’t ever want to take that for granted,” he said.

“These last two years were rebuilding, so I don’t want to miss the time when you may be coming back, the good wave. It was rough but you never know where it could go. I feel like something good is coming in that building and I want to be part of it.”