The Chargers showed interest in veteran wide receivers this offseason, doing so after cutting ties with the seven-year Keenan Allen–Mike Williams tandem. Although Jim Harbaugh is in the process of turning around yet another team, it is back in the WR market.
In addition to showing interest in reacquiring Williams, the Bolts have one of the available Patriots pass catchers on their radar. The AFC West club is believed to be in the K.J. Osborn market, per the Boston Sports Journal’s Mike Giardi. With Allen Lazard‘s injury perhaps giving the Jets cold feet on moving Williams, interested teams need to have backup plans.
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It is unclear if a trade market will truly form, though Giardi points to other teams being open to adding the former Vikings slot receiver as well. The Patriots gave Osborn a one-year, $4MM deal in free agency. They are shopping the fifth-year veteran but have also been linked to merely cutting him after the deadline if no deal comes to fruition. For the season, Osborn has just seven receptions for 57 yards.
Were Osborn to be cut following today’s 3pm CT deadline, his vested-veteran status would no longer protect him from waivers. All players cut hit the wire if they are dropped after the deadline, opening the door to Osborn being unable to pick his next team. He is tied to just a $1.18MM base salary, which would not do too much to dissuade an interested team from claiming him. This prospect could convince a team to send a low-level compensation package the Patriots’ way.
Osborn, 27, fared better in Minnesota. He totaled 655 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 2021 and nearly matched those totals in 2022 (650, five) to help the Vikings win the NFC North. Osborn caught 48 passes for 540 yards last season, one that featured four Minnesota starting QBs due to Kirk Cousins‘ midseason Achilles tear.
The Pats appear OK moving Kendrick Bourne or former second-rounder Tyquan Thornton as well. The team pursued big-ticket WR upgrades this offseason but did not add one. Still, the Pats drafted two receivers (Ja’Lynn Polk, Javon Baker) and have Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte rostered.
The Chargers have centered their first post-Allen/Williams passing attack around second-rounder Ladd McConkey; the Pats traded down with the Bolts to give them McConkey access at No. 34. Josh Palmer is currently with the team, but the Chargers may be open to trading the former third-round pick due to the free agent-to-be not being in their 2025 plans. Los Angeles hosted a few receivers this offseason but settled on DJ Chark, who has missed much of this season due to injury.
I wonder if they could do something with palmer for Henry, and Osborn. Palmer won’t get brought back. He’s worth the patriots to take a look at.
Imagine when the Chargers get their cap situation figured out. They will be a force to be reckoned with. Nobody is giving Harbaugh recognition for turning around a doormat of a franchise, but this is COY type material in my mind.
@raz427 alot of it is minter. He took a bottom 2 defense and made it top 2. It’s technically number #1, but i can see it dipping.
I think it’s a great start for them to build upon in future seasons. I agree that they really haven’t beaten anyone great but this is the National Football League, and wins are wins no matter how you can take them. I think they’ll finish 9-8 which is better than what they have achieved in recent years.
@Raz427. I think they can go 11-6. The defense is playing great, and that’s without the top 4 cbs on the team. Same with the wide receivers. Against the cardinals we had three blocking tight ends, and a fullback that plays defensive tackle it’s that bad. I’m sure that why they are checking on Osborn probably would cost a late pick or a swap
I wouldn’t be surprised if they can squeak out 11 wins. It’s a well coached team right now.
PS Great handle lol Rex Hudler was a good player growing up!
@Raz427 the players love harbaugh. He’s definitely a strange individual, but the only coach you will see working out with the team, and showing up at 4am wiping down the machines. His sayings are the cherry on top.
Thanks that’s why I liked Rex too, he had a different way on explaining things and it was comical.
Bro TAKE HIM.
The Chargers are playing good defense. If Edwards can help them down the stretch running the ball, they will make the playoffs.
@brain wolf still think they need a tight end as a insurance policy. Maybe engram, Henry or njoku. Wide receivers trade market is thin not sure if it moves the needle.
It would help if Hurst could stay healthy. Engram could help but we will see. I doubt the Browns depart from Njoku, who hasnt lived up to his potential, but is all they got besides an up and down Juedy.