JUST IN:K.J. Osborn is prepared to demonstrate his value in New England.

K.J. Osborn’s addition to the New England Patriots’ wide receiver group came after a few days into free agency, marking a new chapter in his football career after spending four years with the Minnesota Vikings. During his time in Minnesota, Osborn played behind top-tier pass catchers in the league. Now, as he transitions to the Patriots, Osborn is determined to prove that he can be more than just a supporting player in an offense.

Expressing his excitement about showcasing his skills, Osborn stated, “I’m excited to show the type of player I am, man. I’ve played with some great players and I’m excited to get some more opportunity and be able to really help this team win.” Over the past three seasons, Osborn has consistently contributed, accumulating over 1,800 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. However, at 26 years old, he is prepared to take on a bigger role if required.

Osborn emphasized his team-first mentality, stating, “At the end of the day, it’s wherever the team best needs me to win. And like I said, I’m excited about the opportunity. We’ll see what happens as far as all the details of it. I’m a team guy so whatever the team needs me to do to win, whether that’s be number one, or let’s be a leader, play inside, play outside — that’s what I’m here to do.”

K.J. Osborn brings experience from a similar West Coast offensive scheme in Minnesota, which aligns with what offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt intends to establish in New England. In Minnesota, Osborn mainly operated as an inside Z-receiver, a role that may overlap with projected inside options like Kendrick Bourne and DeMario Douglas on the Patriots’ roster. However, Osborn’s versatility allows him to contribute in various packages.

Speaking about his versatility, Osborn mentioned, “I feel like I am a versatile player. Definitely can play inside and outside. I would say most of my career I’ve played inside. So, that’s probably where I’m a little bit more comfortable at just by nature of having a lot more reps there. But I try to pride myself on being a versatile player.”

Joining a receiving corps that includes JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor, Kayshon Boutte, and T.J. Luther, Osborn acknowledges the talent and depth within the Patriots’ wide receiver room. While the team may still benefit from a primary coverage dictator, Osborn is eager to contribute and complement the existing players. He emphasized, “There’s a lot of great players already in the receiver room. So, I wanna come in and be another help to those guys, another compliment — there’s some vets in there. At the end of the day just help this team win. But, I’m excited for the opportunity ahead.”