The New England Patriots have hit a dry period in the offseason. OTAs wrapped up earlier in June, and the team's first training camp practice won't take place for another month, with veterans reporting on July 22nd. Until then, players will look to stay ready over the next four weeks, to get their body and mind right ahead of the scorching hot midsummer days in full pads.
Training camp will mark the first time Patriots fans will get to take in all of the offseason additions and see the new team for themselves. From Mike Vrabel to Josh McDaniels on the coaching staff, to exciting free agent signings in Stefon Diggs and Milton Williams, all the way down to rookies Will Campbell and TreVeyon Henderson. There is a lot to be excited about for Patriots training camp attendees, as the franchise looks to start a new dominant era with Vrabel leading the charge.
With not much news circulating around the Patriots during this post-OTAs and pre-training camp period, now would be a good time to check up on former Patriots and their ventures with new teams. For one failed Patriots turned Commanders receiver, he'll have to battle a skilled depth chart at his position to make the Week 1 roster in the nations capital.
K.J. Osborn Facing Uphill Battle as Training Camp Approaches
After three productive seasons in Minnesota from 2021-2023, the Patriots signed Osborn to a one-year, $4 million deal in March of 2024. New England made the switch from Jacoby Brissett to Drake Maye at QB in Week 6, but even that didn't help too much, as Osborn was still a non-factor in a dysfunctional Patriots offense. In 7 games (4 starts) with the team, Osborn hauled in 7 receptions on 18 targets for a measly 57 yards and a touchdown.
The veteran's struggles led to a mutual release by the Patriots in December of last season, where then the Commanders picked up the 28-year-old off waivers. Osborn would appear in one game for Washington, but failed to record any catches or yards his lone appearance.
As the Michigan native hit free agency this offseason, the Commanders brought him back on a one-year, $1.1 million deal to see if there's any gas left in the tank.
After lining up out wide for 53% of snaps across seven games in a Patriots uniform, the road to playing time, and a roster spot, is an uphill battle for Osborn in Washington. Coming off an NFC Championship game appearance, the Commanders made a trade for Deebo Samuel and drafted Jaylin Lane out of Virginia Tech with their 4th round selection in April.
The Commanders already had pieces in place at receiver between Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown and Dyami Brown last season. Given that Dyami Brown joined the Jaguars in free agency, GM Adam Peters wasted no time adding even more talent out wide for Jayden Daniels in his sophomore season. Adding the versatile Samuel and speedy Lane (4.34 40-time, tied for 3rd fastest in 2025 WR class), paired with another veteran in Michael Gallup, could leave Osborn on thin ice throughout training camp.
Most NFL teams keep six (sometimes seven) receivers on their final 53-man roster, leaving Osborn to compete with the likes of Luke McCaffrey, the aforementioned Lane, and Gallup, throughout training camp and the preseason. McCaffrey was the team's third-round selection just last year, Lane is a promising rookie with blazing speed, and Gallup has 3700+ yards and 21 touchdowns across six NFL seasons.
After being a non-factor in the first half of the season with New England and failing to carve out a role when he arrived in Washington, Osborn could be a cut candidate when things ramp up in late July. Or, the former Miami Hurricane could see a career resurgence from his days with the Vikings. Across 50 games in Minnesota from 2021-23, Osborn tallied 158 receptions, 1,845 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns alongside Justin Jefferson.
Luckily for Patriots fans, they won't have to wait long to see their old receiver. Osborn and the Commanders will play the Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 8th, during the first week of the NFL preseason. Before the game, Tom Brady's bronze statue will be unveiled in Patriot Place.
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