Patriots WR Likely Has Already Played His Final Game for New England

New England Patriots wide receiver K.J. Osborn was inactive for the team's 20-17 overtime loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday – fueling speculation that he may have played his last game in a Patriot uniform.

Osborn, playing his first season in New England, has been one of the Patriots mentioned in trade rumors ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline. In six games this season, Osborn has caught only seven passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. The fifth-year veteran has shown an ability to produce at a higher level than his current output, as Osborn has averaged 615 yards receiving over the past three seasons.

That experience and proven past performances could make him a leading candidate to be moved at the deadline, according to Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer:

"I think teams look at (Osborn) and say, 'This is very much a guy that we can plug and play,' an experienced guy who was a clutch player over the years as sort of a secondary weapon in the Minnesota Vikings offense."

- Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated

The return for Osborn should be relatively modest – fetching anything more than a sixth-rounder would be an Eliot Wolf masterclass. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been floated as a potential landing spot for the receiver due to injury woes to their top two receivers – Chris Godwin and Mike Evans. Godwin is out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury suffered in Week 7.

Even if the Patriots are unable to find a trade partner, Mike Reiss of ESPN reported that the Patriots: "might consider helping Osborn -- who has been described as a true pro by some in the organization -- by simply releasing him." Despite being a healthy scratch on Sunday, Osborn was seen celebrating a catch by fellow receiver DeMario Douglas, enforcing the "true pro" label reportedly placed on him by some in the organization.

Another sign that Osborn could be dealt before the deadline? He hasn't seemed too content in New England. Following the a 32-16 Patriots loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, Osborn posted a cryptic screenshot on Instagram revealing a text message sent to him following the game.

The messages were perceived by many as a glimpse into Osborn's feelings around his lack of usage. In Minnesota, Osborn played 68, 75, and 78 percent of the Vikings' offensive snaps over the last three seasons. He has only played 54 percent of the offensive snaps in New England in 2024 (snap counts prior to his healthy scratch vs. Tennessee). Subsequently, Osborn was asked by Chris Mason of MassLive if he wanted to be traded. The receiver's answer was not "no":

"'It's like an alley oop,' Osborn laughed. 'This is where I am. This is the place I signed to be. A lot of things are out of my control, but I would like to be where my feet are. So today I'm here, so now I'll rock with it as it goes.'"

- via Chris Mason of MassLive

Osborn, 27, was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL Draft and spent the first four seasons of his career with Minnesota. The Patriots signed Osborn to a one-year, $4 million deal in March.

Edge rusher Joshua Uche was inactive for New England's Week 8 divisional matchup against the New York Jets, and then was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs the following day in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round pick. The situation with Osborn could be similar – a potential trade chip being healthy scratched for an impending trade.

The NFL trade deadline is on Tuesday, Nov. 5 at 4 p.m.

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