K.J. Osborn Signs on Board with an Old Friend
Remember K.J. Osborn? The Minnesota Vikings’ WR3 from 2020 to 2023? The guy is on the move, signing in Atlanta with the Falcons and reuniting with Kirk Cousins, who is the current starting quarterback after Michael Penix Jr. hit injured reserve last week.
K.J. Osborn has signed on with an old friend, giving the former Minnesota Vikings WR a fresh landing spot and a familiar connection in a new spot.
While it may not be as profitable as the purple and gold days, Cousins and Osborn could connect on the field before too long.
K.J. Osborn Signs with Falcons
A blast from the past joins a blast from the past in Atlanta.
Falcons Lock in Osborn
It’s official for Osborn in Atlanta. FalconsWire‘s Matt Urben wrote Monday, “The Atlanta Falcons have signed wide receiver K.J. Osborn to their 16-man practice squad, the team announced on Monday afternoon. Osborn worked out for the Falcons on Friday and now takes the final spot on the team’s practice squad ahead of Week 13.”
“The 28-year-old was originally selected by the Minnesota Vikings in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft. Over his first five NFL seasons, Osborn recorded 165 receptions, 1,902 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 67 games (34 starts). Osborn went over 500 receiving yards in three consecutive seasons (2021-2023) for the Vikings, but he hasn’t had as much success over the last two years for the New England Patriots and Washington Commanders.”
Osborn will now be one call-up away from the active roster.
The Revised ATL WR Corps
The Falcons have the same record as the Vikings at 4-7, basically ruled out of the Wildcard playoff contention, but not officially yet.
So, they’ll roll into Week 13 with this WR group:
- Drake London
- Darnell Mooney
- David Sills V
- Jamal Agnew
- Casey Washington
- Khadarel Hodge
- Chris Blair (Practice Squad)
- Deven Thompkins (Practice Squad)
- Nick Nash (Practice Squad)
- Dylan Drummond (Practice Squad)
- K.J. Osborn (Practice Squad)
It’s also worth noting that Atlanta is only two games back of Tampa Bay for control of the NFC South.
Osborn in Minnesota
Osborn spent his entire rookie contract in Minnesota. After a completely silent debut during the pandemic season — when the Vikings didn’t use him on offense at all — he unexpectedly emerged in the summer of 2021 with a standout training camp. From there, he remained in place through March 2024, settling into the WR3 role.
That job mattered more than people realized. For years, Minnesota more or less shrugged at the position, cycling through players like Bisi Johnson and Chad Beebe. When Osborn seized it in 2021, the Vikings finally had something resembling a true third option. In 2023, he posted 48 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns, right in line with his typical production, even if the scoring dipped.
Osborn since Leaving Vikings
Osborn left Minnesota after the 2023 season once the Vikings chose not to prioritize bringing him back on a second contract. He landed with the New England Patriots — a club with arguably the league’s weakest wide receiver group last year — and finished with only seven catches for 57 yards.
His career still has room to unfold, but the early returns outside Minnesota aren’t promising. He also spent time with the Washington Commanders, though that stint never developed into anything meaningful.
Osborn spent the summer of 2025, too, with the Commanders, but that resulted in a roster cut when the team shaved the depth from 90 players to 53.
Falcons-Themed Media Reaction to ATL win over NO
The Falcoholic‘s Dave Choate wrote about Week 12, “While there was plenty to pick apart in this performance—too many plays where Tyler Shough escaped, dropped interceptions, stone hands from Kyle Pitts, bad penalties—Atlanta also earned their first win in over a month, dropped their hated rival even further into the basement, and kept whatever dim hope they had left for this season alive.”
“We spend a lot of time thinking about the big picture, especially during a year that’s gone as far off the rails as this one has, but we’re still watching these games to enjoy ourselves and see wins at the end of the day. For the first time in what feels like a tiny eternity, I know I did both. With the Jets on deck, there’s a chance the Falcons will string together a couple of wins.”
Cousins and Osborn have connected for 12 touchdowns over the last half-decade.
Choate added, “Don’t let them fool you into thinking they’re going to salvage this season—there’s very little chance of that—but do enjoy watchable football while it lasts and root for this defense to keep building. While the 2025 season may not end up mattering that much, that development certainly does.”
Osborn will turn 29 next summer.
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