K.J. Osborn addressed trade rumors after social media post sparks speculation
"That post was for motivation, maybe desperation. Yeah, it was personal but it was also the truth"
Patriots receiver K.J. Osborn addressed a social media post on Wednesday that led coach Jerod Mayo to say Osborn is “probably frustrated” in his role.
Osborn posted a screenshot of a text message from sports agent Brandon Abdala congratulating him for his perseverance during the Patriots’ trip to London.
According to Abdala’s text, the Patriots told Osborn on Wednesday that he would be inactive for the game but ended up notifying him that he would play the night before.
Abdala told Osborn he was proud of the way he handled the situation and the way he played in the game. He caught a touchdown pass in the loss to Jacksonville.
“I think it’s kind of being a little bit unorthodox. Got into the game, scored a touchdown and things like that,” Osborn said of the message. “It was just a testament to the perseverance and that he was proud of me and that’s really motivation. I’m ready anytime like I have been my whole career, so it’s more of that. Obviously because we lost and it’s a lot going on, I understand how it can get blown up and stuff like that.”
Osborn said he was not surprised at the way the post was received. He meant to use the post as motivation, but it led many including Mayo to believe he was frustrated.
“I’m not surprised, that’s the business,” Osborn said. “We lost. We can’t sit here and act like everything is all good. Its not. We’re 1-6. We’ve got to find a way to win.”
“So, it’s y’all job every day to write a post or whatever you’ve got to report back to people so if something is going on,” Osborn added. “Which I can see (it seems like) I’m frustrated and things like that but that wasn’t the intent of the post. Was I surprised, no, but I’m a professional. I know how to speak to you guys. I know how to speak to my coaches and things like that.”
Osborn was asked if he wanted to remain with the team. He had missed two games before being told he would be inactive on Sunday. The touchdown was his first of the season and one of seven catches in five games.
“Of course, man. This is what I signed up for,” Osborn said. “The rest is kind of not up to me, but like I said, I’m where my feet are, so today I’m here.”
“So if that changes, that’s not really in my control, but I can continue to be a good teammate,” Osborn added. “I’m not a big media circus guy. That post was for motivation, maybe desperation. Yeah, it was personal but it was also the truth. I’ve never been a guy to be a distraction or anything like that.”
Mayo was asked Wednesday if he felt compelled to address the team about how they use their social media platforms.
“For me, it is what it is,” Mayo said. “If you’re winning games, there will be noise. I mean, we’ve done this for a long time. It’s very cyclical. Sometimes narratives are already written; it’s about just the different cast of characters.”
“What I would say is we know that the only people that can go out there and win football games are not the media. It’s not your mom calling you, telling you to do X, Y, and Z or someone at the grocery store. No, it’s about the guys that are in this building.”
Osborn said he was surprised when he was told that he would be inactive last week.
“Hell yeah. It’s different,” Osborn said. “This year has been different for me than the years prior and the things I have been able to accomplish and I feel like I’ve been a solid player in this league. It’s kind of something that we’re working though right now and we’ll see.”
Osborn declined to comment on whether the coaching staff told him why he would be inactive. He hopes he’ll be active this week against the Jets, but said he could not comment on this week’s status because he can’t give away the game plan.
Scoring his first Patriots touchdown was a welcome feeling after the turbulent week, he said.
“Being able to help us cut the deficit down, try to get the two point conversation, go score again and try to win the game,” Osborn said. “It definitely felt good to be back in the endzone.”
“My pastor was there. He’s the chaplain with the Jaguars so I gave him the ball. First Patriots touchdown, so that was pretty cool.”
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