The New England Patriots have undergone significant changes since their heyday of winning seven Super Bowls. With Tom Brady’s departure from the NFL and Bill Belichick being succeeded by Jerod Mayo, the team’s landscape looks markedly different. Nevertheless, the Patriots are determined to bounce back after a challenging season that saw them miss the playoffs.
As they seek to revitalize their offense and bolster their receiving corps, the Patriots have made a notable addition to their roster by acquiring K.J. Osborn from the Minnesota Vikings.
Patriots bring in K.J. Osborn
The Patriots made a surprising move by bringing wide receiver K.J. Osborn on board, causing quite a stir in the NFL community. After a relatively calm start to the week, the Patriots made a big move by signing Osborn to a one-year contract worth $4 million, according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
New Patriots WR KJ Osborn's getting a one-year, $4 million deal, source said. Like I said earlier, really good player out of the slot. Was clutch in Minnesota.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 17, 2024
With Osborn’s addition, the Patriots now boast a formidable wide receiver corps for the 2024 season, comprising nine talented players. He joins a group that includes Kendrick Bourne, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Jalen Reagor, Tyquan Thornton, Kayshon Boutte, and DeMario Douglas.
The former Vikings player has relatively limited NFL experience. Nevertheless, he garnered praise during his time with the Minnesota Vikings for his leadership qualities and contributions both on and off the field. The 26-year-old has demonstrated the ability to line up in various positions within the formation, showcasing his skills as an X-, Z-, and slot receiver.
In New England, Osborn is expected to provide additional support behind Bourne as the team’s Z receiver. Bourne’s recent return to the Patriots on a lucrative contract stirred up controversy, making Osborn’s signing a strategic move to bolster the team’s receiving options and provide depth at the position.
K.J. Osborn 2023 NFL season in numbers
In the previous NFL season, wide receiver K.J. Osborn experienced a slight decrease in his numbers. He ended up with 48 receptions for 540 yards and three touchdowns. There are a couple of reasons why we saw a decline in performance towards the end of the season. One of them was the inconsistent quarterback play, which definitely had an impact. Additionally, we also saw the rise of rookie Jordan Addison, who made quite an impression.
Patriots new WR K.J. Osborn last season:
— Pats Buzz (@PatsBuzz) March 17, 2024
– 48 catches
– 540 yards
– 3 touchdowns
pic.twitter.com/wTaSrgQuNQ
The receiver made a significant impact on the team throughout his tenure, having completed four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Over the past three years, he has maintained an average of 52.7 receptions, 615 receiving yards, and five touchdowns per season, per Boston.com.
As he embarks on his fifth NFL season, his career statistics reflect his contributions to date. He racked up 158 catches, 1,845 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 59 regular-season games.
As he moves to a fresh phase in his professional journey with the Patriots, Osborn’s prior achievements and prospects for improvement make him an important addition to his new squad.
