Kirk Cousins: New England Patriots' K.J. Osborn Could Have 'Huge Year'

According to Kirk Cousins, after being in the "shadow" of top receivers with the Minnesota Vikings, K.J. Osborn could thrive in the New England Patriots offense.

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) reacts / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

While the New England Patriots failed to reel in the proverbial big fish in free agency regarding signing a receiver, they did manage to add a play-maker in now former Minnesota Viking K.J. Osborn.

While Osborn may not immediately appear as the 'No. 1' receiver that fans have eagerly anticipated, his former quarterback Kirk Cousins believes he still has untapped potential. In Cousins' view, Osborn is capable of much more than what he demonstrated in Minnesota, hinting at a promising future in New England. 

“Pretty much all of them, but K.J. Osborn is a receiver who was with us in Minnesota who was kind of in the shadow of Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen,” Cousins said in a recent interview on The Big Podcast with Shaq. “And I always felt like K.J. was better than the opportunities he got. He went to free agency and went to New England, and I’d love to see him have a huge year in New England kind of with a bigger role than what he had in Minnesota to show what he could do.”

Dec 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn (17) reacts / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

At 26 years old, Osborn is stepping into a Patriots team that could present him with significantly more opportunities. Last season, the team’s top returning receiver, DeMario Douglas, managed just 561 yards on 49 receptions. However, if it weren’t for a midseason ACL tear, Kendrick Bourne would likely have held that title. 

It will be a very different receiver room in Foxboro compared to Minnesota and one in which Osborn could thrive. Just last season, the former fifth-round pick started in 12 of his 16 appearances, finishing with 540 yards and three touchdowns on 48 receptions. Osborn effectively served as the team’s fourth option through the air behind Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson. 

As things stand, it seems Osborn is potentially set to be a second or third option in the Patriots' passing game, depending on how big a role tight end Hunter Henry will play in the offense. However, among receivers, Osborn is projected to be the second option behind Bourne, which could change with the upcoming NFL Draft. 

Yet Cousins’ belief in the former fifth-round pick should continue to give the Patriots optimism that Osborn could thrive in an offense where he is one of the top options.