K.J. Osborn, Jordan Addison, Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
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Jordan Addison #3, Justin Jefferson #18, and K.J. Osborn #17 of the Minnesota Vikings.
The Minnesota Vikings are WR3 needy this offseason after the departure of Jalen Nailor.
Rumors are flying about who will replace him. Could second-year receiver Tai Felton step up and take the job? Would Minnesota consider signing Deandre Hopkins are Stefon Diggs? Will they spend respectable draft capital on the position?
Time will tell, but one option is off the board as of Wednesday. The man that Nailor replaced as WR3, K.J. Osborn, has found a new home.
Vikings Former WR K.J. Osborn Signs With Titans
Minnesota Vikings K.J. Osborn
GettyCHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 08: Wide receiver K.J. Osborn #17 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball after making a catch during the 1st quarter of the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on January 08, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
The report comes from Adam Schefter on X.
“Titans are signing are signing former Commanders free-agent wide receiver KJ Osborn to a one-year deal, per source.”
Josh Alper ofPro Football Talk shared some insight on Osborn.
“Osborn failed to make the Commanders out of training camp last summer and spent time on the Falcons’ practice squad, but he did not appear in any regular season games with Atlanta. He played one game for Washington in 2024 and caught seven passes for 57 yards in seven games for New England before heading to the Commanders as a waiver claim.”
With Minnesota, K.J. Osborn was a fan-favorite. Over his four seasons in the Twin Cities, he totaled 158 catches for 1,845 yards and 15 touchdowns. He was a 2020 fifth-round selection by the Vikings after playing for Buffalo and Miami in college.
HC Kevin O’Connell Reveals a Potential Center Plan
Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell
GettyMINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – JANUARY 04: Head coach Kevin O’Connell of the Minnesota Vikings looks on during the third quarter against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on January 04, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell spoke with Paul Allen over the phone on Monday from the NFL’s annual league meetings. The two discussed the plan for the center position in 2026.
“I think we want to have a competitive situation there. With Blake, specifically, what I can remember talking to you about him last year, just his willingness to step in there without a lot of time on task, and play the center position, and how he handled it, it was really impressive.
I wasn’t surprised by that, just knowing how Blake had really culminated playing all five spots across the offensive line.”
O’Connell sounded very open to the possibility of Brandel being the team’s starting center if he earns that. He also had a positive thing to say about Michael Jurgens, while also hinting at the draft holding a potential solution.
“Michael Jurgens has continued to grow and ascend as a young player. And then I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the depth there at that position in the draft.
We feel really good about the guys we have in that position right now, with the opportunity potentially maybe to add a player as well in the draft, where we see a talented group of guys who could be available.”
It’s sounding like the center position is in a similar spot to the QB position; the best player wins.