Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts after a play towards the Detroit Lions within the first quarter at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures
In T.J. Hockenson, the Vikings seem to have a commerce candidate.
The Vikings move catcher has cooled off in recent times, largely as a consequence of recovering from a critical knee damage that ended his 2023 season. He hasn’t been the identical participant for the reason that soiled hit that despatched him to the infirmary for a lot of months. Boasting a brand new GM, Nolan Teasley, means welcoming a sure diploma of change. Fairly probably, the change may present itself in shifting on from Mr. Hockenson.
Vikings Go Catcher T.J. Hockenson as a Commerce Candidate
Just a few components are working towards Hockenson.
The well-paid tight finish isn’t an murderer in terms of scoring. His single-season excessive for touchdowns is available in at simply 6. Worse but, Hockenson isn’t significantly explosive. Or, at the very least, he’s not utilized in a way the place he generates explosive positive factors. He averaged a measly 8.6 yards per catch final yr. Lastly, there’s Hockenson’s means as a blocker, or lack thereof. He has demonstrated enchancment however he’s not getting paid meaty cash as a consequence of being a mean blocker.
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) misses an open move throughout the first half of the NFL sport at Ford Subject in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures.
After which there’s the GM issue.
Already, newcomer Nolan Teasley has been making strikes. A few of these selections have concerned entrance workplace shuffles however he has made some roster tweaks, as nicely. Extra time within the captain’s chair will higher equip Teasley to make a significant swing, if desired.
Per Over the Cap, T.J. Hockenson carries a $15,605,000 cap cost into the season. That’s a cap hit that arrives after the transfer to decrease his general compensation however at the price of setting him free a yr early, thereby permitting him to enterprise into free company whereas he’s nonetheless in his late-20s.
Fairly probably, an explosive season will imply having the ability to land one other big contract earlier than his profession is completed. Hockenson is working in what is actually a prove-it yr.
Do observe, although, {that a} commerce would free $10,250,000 for the Minnesota Vikings. Furthermore, a draft decide(s) — assume one thing on Day 3 — would come again, additional bolstering the ammunition forward of the 2027 NFL Draft. Extra younger expertise within the pipeline is exactly what these Vikings want, so Teasley will likely be eager so as to add picks.
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch throughout the second half towards the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Ng-Imagn Pictures
Teasley’s determination subsequently includes conducting a price/profit evaluation.
Fairly probably, a workforce or two may have curiosity in buying T.J. Hockenson. At this stage, the tight finish is a gentle participant who isn’t the improbable athlete he was again in 2022 and 2023. He’s however a participant with an incredible construct alongside delicate mitts, permitting him to be a pleasant companion for a passer in want of another choice for the aerial assault.
Teasley’s process includes seeing if the added draft sources and cap house are price it. Doing so means having an correct evaluation of how a lot the TE1 will assist the Vikings within the upcoming season earlier than deciding on saying goodbye or rallying across the veteran for an additional yr.
For no matter it’s price, a brand new GM usually reveals much less loyalty to gamers upon coming into the combination. Suppose again to how Kwesi Adofo-Mensah moved on from abilities resembling Dalvin Prepare dinner, Eric Kendricks, Anthony Barr, Patrick Peterson, Adam Thielen, and others after taking on. So, too, may Teasley make some subtractions involving well-paid veterans who aren’t as formidable as within the video games of yesteryear.
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) carries the ball after a reception whereas defended by Atlanta Falcons security Billy Bowman Jr. (33) throughout second-half motion on September 14, 2025, at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis. Hockenson’s means to achieve yards after the catch remained central to Minnesota’s passing assault because the Vikings labored to ascertain offensive rhythm. Obligatory Credit score: Matt Krohn-Imagn Pictures.
T.J. Hockenson is listed at 6’5″ and 250 kilos. At 28, the tight finish nonetheless has a number of years of ball forward of him, however there are issues about whether or not his greatest days are behind him.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. E mail: ok.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
