Former Vikings Joshua Dobbs, Alexander Mattison and K.J. Osborn find new teams

Three former Vikings starters recently found new teams.

Receiver K.J. Osborn, who was a free agent after four Vikings seasons, is leaving for a one-year deal with the Patriots, a league source confirmed. Running back Alexander Mattison, who was released two weeks ago after five Vikings seasons, agreed to sign with the Raiders on Monday, another source said. And quarterback Joshua Dobbs agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers, according to his agent Mike McCartney.

Osborn caught all of his 160 passes for 1,865 yards and 16 touchdowns in three seasons. The 2020 fifth-round pick didn’t have a catch in his rookie season, when he was splitting duties returning punts and kickoffs. In 2021, he burst onto the scene with big games against the Bengals and Cardinals.

Osborn, who turns 27 in June, made a major sophomore leap and became a reliable three-year contributor who made 31 starts in 60 games, including the January 2023 playoff loss to the Giants. He was often credited as an off-field leader in the locker room. He developed close bonds with receivers Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen. He also made headlines last year for pulling a man from a burning car upon witnessing the aftermath of an accident in Austin, Texas.

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Osborn had a knack for saving the team, too: 10 of his 16 touchdown catches came in the fourth quarter or overtime, including game-winning scores against the Panthers in 2021 and the Lions in 2022.

Last season, Osborn had 48 catches for 540 yards and three touchdowns. But he also had a team-high seven drops, according to Pro Football Focus. After the season, he admitted the contract year was on his mind and may have affected his play. He said he would look back on his Vikings tenure with gratitude.

“I’ve worked my whole life to be able to do something really great for my family,” Osborn said in January, “and at the end of the day, I’m in the NFL. I’m blessed. I’m very grateful for this position I’m in, and I’m excited.”

Osborn reportedly agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $4 million. The Vikings appeared to signal they were moving on from Osborn last week when the team agreed to a one-year, $1.79 million deal with free-agent receiver Trent Sherfield, a 28-year-old journeyman with 78 career grabs.

Mattison, who turns 26 in June, had also developed into a reliable spot starter and, like Osborn, had a disappointing 2023 season.

The 2019 third-round pick took over for Dalvin Cook and led the team with 700 rushing yards, but he was the franchise’s first leading rusher without a rushing touchdown in the same season. The Vikings released Mattison before $2.75 million of his salary became guaranteed.

Dobbs, 29, trades places with new Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold, who was San Francisco’s backup last season. Dobbs, who arrived via trade on Oct. 31, was a free agent after a five-game run with the Vikings that included thrilling wins over the Falcons and Saints.