The Washington Commanders made one significant investment in their wide receiver room by trading for Deebo Samuel Sr. General manager Adam Peters is filling out the depth chart with potential rotational options in pursuit of providing quarterback Jayden Daniels with the firepower needed to excel.
This includes taking a flier on an anonymous late arrival to the Commanders last season.
Reports suggested the Commanders have re-signed K.J. Osborn to a one-year deal. The former Auburn standout was claimed off waivers during the season after things didn't work out with the New England Patriots, which brought intrigue after Noah Brown went down with a serious internal complication.
Commandrs banking on K.J. Osborn benefitting from full offseason with Jayden Daniels
Osborn didn't feature much. He was active just once during the regular season and became an afterthought during the playoffs. But despite finding life difficult to establish himself, the Commanders want to see if there is more to offer with a full offseason under his belt.
This represents a low-risk gamble. The money Osborn's getting is probably somewhere around the vet minimum, so it's not costing the Commanders much to find out one way or another if there is something left to give. Based on his previous production with the Minnesota Vikings before landing in New England, there could be something to this if Washington's coaching staff works their magic.
Washington now has four wide receivers under contract. Terry McLaurin and Samuel lead the way as the veteran alphas with Pro Bowl-caliber production. Luke McCaffrey has promise despite being brought along gradually as a rookie. Osborn is the only re-signing so far, although Olamide Zaccheaus and Brown are candidates for another short-term commitment.
The pieces are falling into place. Osborn is getting a second chance. The pressure is on to maximize it and improve his chances of carving out a decent role for himself.
He already knows the schematic concepts, which gives Osborn a head start. Hitting the ground running and developing chemistry with Daniels is crucial. After that, confidence will increase.
Not many thought Osborn would be brought back. He got no chance to shine as the Commanders went on a memorable run to the NFC Championship game. That was disappointing, but it was also somewhat understandable in the circumstances.
It's been a frantic few days for the Commanders. Peters is molding his roster and looking to build on a sensational first campaign. He focused on the trenches on both sides of the football initially, but there's been a real emphasis on retaining those who made a lasting contribution in 2024.
Osborn wouldn't exactly fit into that category. But this extension proves that all hope is not lost just yet.