That’s a wrap for K.J. Osborn on the New England Patriots’ roster.
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In a weird twist of ex-Minnesota Vikings player news, New England reportedly signed former Vikings kicker Parker Romo on Tuesday to their practice squad — and released Osborn, a veteran wideout in his fifth NFL season.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted, “Patriots are waiving WR K.J. Osborn, per source. It was a mutual decision, and he now will have a chance to catch on to a team where he will be able play more.”
That leaves the Patriots with this wide receiving corps:
- Demario Douglas
- Kendrick Bourne
- Kayshon Boutte
- Javon Baker
- Ja’Lynn Polk
- Braylon Sanders (Practice Squad)
- John Jiles (Practice Squad)
Osborn will hit waivers and can sign anywhere in the NFL if he clears. Some team will likely take the Osborn plunge, if only for a practice squad assignment.
The Vikings probably won’t nibble at his free-agent status because the club has several weeks — months even — during the offseason to re-up with him if desired. Osborn ultimately signed with the Patriots, and the experiment floundered.
Osborn started the 2024 campaign slow, and at the time, many wondered if Jacoby Brissett merely hadn’t developed chemistry with the veteran wideout. Several weeks ago, New England benched Brissett for rookie passer Drake Maye, and not much changed for Osborn.
Of all receiving groups in the NFL, that should actually be the easiest for one to stand out. But no cigar for Osborn, who will search for his career’s next chapter.
Osborn spent his whole rookie contract with the Vikings. The University of Miami alumnus busted out into prominence [out of nowhere] during the summer of 2021 after an unbelievably quiet rookie year during the pandemic season. In fact, the Vikings didn’t use Osborn on offense at all as a rookie, but he emerged at training camp the following season.
And then the veteran playmaker stuck around until March 2024, mostly used as a WR3. Moreover, Osborn’s arrival on the scene was of the utmost importance for Minnesota. For about four seasons, the Vikings “never really seemed to care” about WR3, nominating men like Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe for the task. But when Osborn seized the job in 2021, the purple team finally employed an honest-to-goodness WR3.
Osborn totaled 48 receptions for 540 yards and 3 touchdowns in 2023. The year was pretty standard in Osborn’s world, though the touchdown numbers dipped.
He has 7 receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown this season.
With Jordan Addison’s immediate emergence to WR2, Osborn could grab more money on the open market than the Vikings were willing to deliver. Too, Osborn was not drafted by the current Vikings front office and coaching staff, meaning he was not a priority to re-sign. So, he chose the Patriots.
Osborn will turn 28 next summer.
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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.