Coming off their sixth consecutive defeat against the Jaguars on Sunday. The Patriots playoff hopes might be over before it even hits second gear this season. With players being termed ‘soft’ after the Jaguars clash, their 27-year-old WR K.J. Osborn may have expressed his frustration for lack of game time this year.

It was a screenshot that was posted by sports agent Brandon Abdala on Instagram that started the rumors, “Being proud of you is an understatement. From being told you would be inactive Wednesday and only taking 3 reps all week in practice to being told you were activated at 11 p.m. Saturday night and going in the game at another position all the way across the world in London!! You held your composure and did what a pro does.” Well, this got Jerod Mayo giving his assessment of the situation on Monday after their loss to the Jaguars.

“I’m not sure what the exact situation is. He’s probably frustrated because he’s not playing as much as he wants to.” Since those messages went viral, Osborn’s trade rumors have started flying around in New England. As fans and journalists asked for an update, the Patriots head coach offered one on Friday, “What I will say is he’s on the team now, and we look forward to him playing on Sunday.” Although there’s no guarantee that Osborn will play against the Jets on Sunday, he did score his first TD against the Jaguars last week.

After missing out on the Dolphins and Texans clash this season, the Patriots WR recorded two catches for 26 yards on three targets. Over the course of this season, he has managed just seven catches for 57 yards on 16 targets. And to add more fire to his frustrations in New England, he hasn’t been targeted more than 6 times in either of the games.

But he isn’t the only one who has expressed his frustrations this season. Rookie WR Ja’Lynn Polk also took to Instagram to post a cryptic message after Sunday’s loss. He posted a peace sign emoji after his day ended with zero catches for three targets in London. While the Patriots try to salvage their season and juggle Osborn trade rumors. The 27-year-old did address the situation, which, for him, felt a bit “unorthodox.”

K.J. Osborn opens up on his trade rumors away from the Patriots

As the message of agent Abdala went viral, Osborn decided to give his take on the situation. “I think it’s kind of being a little bit unorthodox. Got into the game, scored a touchdown and things like that. 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.” Continuing on his thoughts, Osborn thought the message would have worked as a motivation. Instead, it became the talk of the town of Foxborough.

“I’m not surprised, that’s the business. We lost. We can’t sit here and act like everything is all good. It’s not. We’re 1-6. We’ve got to find a way to win.” Although the Patriots don’t look like a team that can turn their season around, Osborn did express his joy about scoring his first Patriots TD, “Being able to help us cut the deficit down, try to get the two-point conversation, go again and try to win the game. It definitely felt good to be back in the endzone.”

But the Patriots may not be happy with the situation they have found themselves in after seven weeks. Will they be able to turn their fortunes against the Jets? Well, it would surely be a clash of the ages as both teams look to salvage their season on Sunday.