The Fearless Leadership of K.J. Osborn
The most impressive thing about K.J. Osborn saving a man from a burning car this spring was not that he risked his own safety to save a complete stranger. It was that his actions were completely unsurprising.
The Fearless Leadership of K.J. Osborn
Over the course of his three-plus years as a Minnesota Viking, Osborn has gradually built himself into a bonafide, selfless, and fearless leader. He consistently seeks out opportunities to serve in a cut-throat business that epitomizes survival of the fittest.
At its core, leadership requires doses of action and words. To earn followers, a leader must show that he is willing to build up the sweat equity required to have the right to ask others to follow his example. Even still, a strong work ethic does not guarantee one is gifted in the ability to lead in word as well. Osborn, however, is gifted on both sides of the coin.
Since being taken in the 5th round of the 2020 NFL Draft, Osborn has slowly but continually blossomed into not only an effective NFL wide receiver but a stable and steadying presence in the Vikings’ locker room. His “chop wood, carry water” mantra embodies his determination and work ethic, just as his teammate’s signature touchdown dance characterizes his talent and flair.
The Ypsilanti, MI native will often remind us that his journey started as a second-string running back on his little league team. And that he initially didn’t see the field much in high school. And that he was a 2-star recruit who was overlooked by Michigan schools. And that it took injuries to multiple players ahead of him on the depth chart at a MAC school to finally get his shot.
Vikings fans may remember K.J. as a rookie, struggling to see the field and fumbling as a return man when he did. Even since solidifying himself as a consistent contributor to the Vikings’ offense in 2021, Osborn never surpassed an aging Adam Thielen in the pecking order to assume WR2 duties. Once Thielen departed for Carolina, Osborn believed that role was his to lose. Just weeks later, Jordan Addison was selected in the first round of the draft, which has many assuming Osborn is once again the de-facto WR3.
Regardless of where he is on the depth chart, Osborn holds himself accountable to leaving an imprint on this franchise the league at large as he stares at his first free agency after this season. “If I hold myself to the [high] standard and play at the standard I hold myself to, I think everybody will be a fan of K.J. Osborn.”
His journey hasn’t been easy or even linear. But his approach has been and continues to be straightforward: be patient, humble, and grateful. Sweat, serve, and sacrifice.
Chop wood, carry water.
Walk the Walk
Work ethic will only go so far for leaders who don’t produce on the field. In his short time as a regular contributor to Minnesota’s game-day product, Osborn has consistently been at his best in moments of crisis.
Last season in Week 3 against Detroit, Osborn caught back-to-back 28-yard passes, the second going for a game-winning touchdown in the final minute to secure an improbable comeback victory that set the tone for the remainder of the season. Three months later, Osborn was the impetus for Minnesota’s NFL-record-setting comeback against Indianapolis to clinch the NFC North in Week 15.
Since 2021 (the first season Osborn saw offensive snaps), he leads all Vikings in total 4th-quarter touchdowns and is second on the team to only Jefferson in 3rd-down catches, yards, first downs, and touchdowns.
There’s a reason the voice of the Vikings, Paul Allen, calls him the “Cold-Blooded ‘Cane.”
Talk the Talk
The upcoming season is a key fulcrum in K.J. Osborn’s career. He enters the fourth and final year of his rookie contract, set to become an unrestricted free agent and potentially make the most money of his life after this season. With Thielen gone, that WR2 role is there for the taking, despite what the popular narrative may be.
If Osborn shines, he may be in for a sizable payday in 2024. If he winds up as Kirk Cousins’ fourth target behind Jefferson, Addison, and T.J. Hockenson, his check will be significantly smaller.
Regardless of the money, for a player that has had to climb as far as he has, the opportunity to be a vital feature of the offense has to be enticing in and of itself. Because despite being a willing and essential piece of Minnesota’s ground attack, K.J. still wants the ball.
With all of this in front of him, he could have easily turned inward to improve his own game. But from the moment the offseason program began, Osborn sees the upcoming year as an opportunity to give.
In all four of his public media sessions this spring, he continued to emphasize his intent on bringing along the young guys, as other veterans have done for him. And for K.J., leading and giving back is something much bigger than football.
“I work really hard. I put a lot of time and effort into what I do and my craft, and trying to be a leader and example to the young guys that are here [and] outside the building back in my hometown, at the U, and at Buffalo … I kind of dedicate my life to that.”
The moment Addison, his immediate competition, was drafted, Osborn reached out to him. Addison suffered a minor injury in rookie minicamp and has since been unable to fully participate in practice. Osborn has taken it upon himself to make sure the rookie doesn’t miss a thing while he watches from the sideline.
“I’m just asking him questions … trying to make sure he takes mental reps.”
A True Leader
Osborn understands that becoming a proven leader at this level requires patience, humility, and work. “I have developed [leadership] along the way, and I ask a lot of questions. I hang out with a lot of vets, so during those times I ask questions: we talk about on-the-field, off-the-field, money, relationships, football, the politics of it.”
A true leader has goals and aspirations for himself, not just for those he leads. When asked if the circumstances of the upcoming season, from the drafting of Addison to his expiring contract, have placed a chip on his shoulder, he was clear and concise.
“It’s not just the draft. It’s the NFL. They’re always looking to replace you … I was a 5th-round pick. I was a 2-star recruit. I came from the MAC … I want to prove myself right. I don’t care about any doubters … I’ve always got a huge chip on my shoulder … Adding a contract year … that just fuels me that much more.”
Like a true leader, however, he prioritizes the team’s success over his own achievements. “As long as I’m impacting the game so that we can win, all that stat stuff doesn’t really matter.”
Coaches often praise players who will run through a metaphorical brick wall for the team. K.J. has proven that he will do that. Nothing will stop this young man from fearlessly leading his team. Not even a burning car.
Notes: Statistics were sourced from Pro Football Reference and Stathead.
Will is a husband, father, and earned an undergraduate degree in Economics (just like Kwesi Adofo-Mensah). Will’s favorite pastimes are water skiing, Minnesota sports, and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. He is the co-host of the Load the Box Vikings Podcast with Jordan Hawthorn. Follow him on Twitter (@willbadlose) and find his other sports content at Twins Daily and his very own Bad Loser Blog.
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