The New England Patriots receiving corps rotation has shaped up, and they plan to utilize five wide receivers for the final four games of the 2024 regular season. Veteran Kendrick Bourne and former sixth-round pick Kayshon Boutte will continue to start on the outside, with former sixth-round pick DeMario Douglas in the slot. While rookie second-rounder Ja’Lynn Polk continues to receive ample playing time in hopes of getting out of a slump, rookie fourth-rounder Javon Baker’s role slowly increases over time.
The New England Patriots attempted to shop a veteran receiver who fell out of rotation
As previously discussed on Gridiron Heroics, the Patriots attempted to trade K.J. Osborn during the NFL Trade Deadline, and the Los Angeles Chargers were rumored to have interest in the veteran wide receiver with 1,902 career receiving yards. Unfortunately, Osborn did not get traded during the trade deadline and remained in New England for the next five weeks.
Since then, Osborn has appeared in one game, Week 10 against the Chicago Bears, where he participated in 29 offensive snaps, and has yet to play their last three games as a healthy scratch (Weeks 11-13). Since he ultimately fell out of the rotation, the writing was on the wall.
His time in New England has come to an end
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the New England Patriots and K.J. Osborn have mutually agreed to part ways. Since the Patriots waived him until after the trade deadline, Osborn is subject to the waiver wire before he enters free agency.
Patriots are waiving WR K.J. Osborn, per source. It was a mutual decision, and he now will have a chance to catch on to a team where he will be able play more. pic.twitter.com/kQhrnAnHt0
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2024
The waiver wire operates similarly to the NFL Draft; teams with the worst record have first dibs before any team in playoff contention can pick him up. It will be interesting to see which team will pick him up and whether he’ll have an immediate impact.
