Patriots Make Splashy News with 2 Former Vikings
The New England Patriots were relatively busy on Tuesday, and their primary roster movement involved two notable Minnesota Vikings players from the past.
Patriots Make Splashy News with 2 Former Vikings
New England’s season has swirled down the toilet in 2024, showcasing a 3-10 record and the status of already eliminated from the postseason.
Of course, Patriots fans didn’t expect majesty from the franchise in 2024, its first in decades without Bill Belichick at the helm. Rookie quarterback Drake Maye has played well in spots, and all eyes are now on 2025 and beyond.
Here’s what New England did this week in relation to the Vikings.
Kicker Parker Romo In
The NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo tweeted Tuesday, “The Patriots are expected to sign K John Parker Romo to the practice squad, one day after he cleared waivers from the Vikings, sources say. Romo went 11-for-12 on field-goal attempts for Minnesota while Will Reichard was injured. Latches on quickly in New England.”
The Patriots already employ veteran kicker Joey Slye, so Romo likely won’t grab a full-time job immediately. Slye even made a 63-yard field goal a couple of months ago. Against the Colts, however, in Week 12, Slye missed two kicks, and the Patriots lost by a single point. He even missed a 26-yarder.
Romo appears to be kicking insurance for Slye, and New England had an open practice squad spot for him, which the Vikings evidently did not.
In Minnesota, Romo served as the Vikings’ primary kicker from Week 10 to 13 after the usual specialist, Will Reichard, hit injured reserve with a quad ailment. He delivered every step of the way, acting as the only scoring source in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars a few weeks ago and nailing a game-winning field goal at Chicago in Week 12.
With no debates from anyone anywhere, Vikings fans will remember Romo fondly.
K.J. Osborn Out
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.”
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.
He has 7 receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown this season.
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.
Some Vikings fans have already called for a purple reunion on social media, though Minnesota had ample time and opportunity to re-sign Osborn back in February and March.
Osborn will likely land on some team’s practice squad. He’s 26.
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.
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