FOXBOROUGH — It took until December, but the Patriots ultimately parted ways with K.J. Osborn.
The veteran wideout hadn’t caught a pass since the London game in October and had been a healthy scratch in four of New England’s last five games. When asked if he wanted to be traded ahead of last month’s deadline, Osborn called the question an “alley oop.” The Patriots reportedly took calls on Osborn, but never dealt him, and then kept him mostly sidelined.
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Buried on the depth chart behind younger wideouts on a rebuilding team, the 27-year-old Osborn — who went over 500 yards in his previous three seasons with the Vikings — was honest about his situation.
“It’s extremely difficult. It’s frustrating,” Osborn said in October. “A lot of stuff is not in my control. No matter the performance or anything like that. The organization is going to do what’s best for them. And for us. So that’s something I can’t control. I can control what I can do: My attitude, my effort, coaching the young guys while they’re out there, helping them from my experience.”
On Wednesday morning, Jerod Mayo explained why the team opted to part ways with him after the bye week.
It was a mutual thing,” Mayo said. “Even when he was inactive, he was just a great professional, great person, a great leader. It just didn’t work out, and we decided to part ways.”
Osborn will now need to pass through waivers because the trade deadline has long passed, so anybody else in the league can claim him. He caught seven passes for 57 yards and one touchdown this season in Foxborough.
The Patriots used Osborn’s vacated roster spot to activate Cole Strange from injured reserve. The 2022 first-rounder has been out all season with a torn patellar tendon, and Mayo didn’t voice a firm role for him this weekend in Arizona, but did hope he’d be active.
“With Cole, he has the flexibility to play center and guard, and hopefully he’ll be up for the game this week,” Mayo said. “He understands both of those positions, and I’m excited to see him. I’m excited to see him out there in full pads today at practice and excited to see him at the game, hopefully.”