Dec 17, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) celebrates the win against the Indianapolis Colts after the game at U.S. Bank Stadium. With the win, the Minnesota Vikings clinched the NFC North. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
When the Minnesota Vikings reached the end of the 2023 regular season, it seemed certain that wide receiver K.J. Osborn had played his last game with the organization. Drafted as part of the Justin Jefferson class, he was brought in to soften the blow of Stefon Diggs’ departure. He was consistent but rarely notable, which could change in New England.
With Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison both looking like legitimate stars, it would be hard for anyone else to crack the top of the Vikings’ pass-catching pecking order. T.J. Hockenson’s injury allowed another weapon to be utilized, pushing K.J. Osborn even further behind. When Jefferson went down last season, it was Brandon Powell, more notably, who stepped up, and it seemed destined that the third wideout needed to go elsewhere.
The New England Patriots aren’t the same team they have been for years anymore. Legendary head coach Bill Belichick is gone, Tom Brady is long gone, and Jacoby Brissett represents little more than a placeholder. However, what has seemingly remained consistent is that the team is short on standout pass catchers, and it’s Osborn who should stand to benefit.
Looking at New England’s group, it’s fair to suggest that only Juju Smith-Schuster or Kendrick Bourne represents an equal option. That’s a compelling landing spot for the former Viking if he aims to rack up a career-high in targets. Of course, working with Brissett or whatever rookie they wind up taking will have its challenges, but at least the volume should be available to him.
Osborn never could get within sniffing distance of a 1,000-yard season for Minnesota, and it’s hard to expect that when the options above you are so much better. He now has a clear runway to showcase what he can do, though, and he’ll be playing for a team that should need to pass the ball in droves. It’s just a short-term pact for Osborn, but it’s in New England that he could substantiate whatever his next deal looks like.
There was never a reality in Minnesota that Osborn wasn’t well respected or enjoyed as a player. There was also never going to be a reality for him to produce at a substantial level, and when given the opportunity to stand out or take on more of the workload, he remained largely the same player. A fresh start provides plenty of intrigue, and what he does with that remains to be seen.
Ted Schwerzler is a blogger from the Twin Cities that is focused on all things Minnesota Twins and Minnesota Vikings. He’s active on Twitter and writes weekly for Twins Daily. As a former college athlete and avid sports fan, covering our pro teams with a passion has always seemed like such a natural outlet.