Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) reacts after scoring a landing in opposition to the Washington Commanders at U.S. Financial institution Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Dec. 7, 2025. Hockenson celebrated within the second half after ending the drive with a scoring catch as Minnesota’s passing assault discovered success at residence. Obligatory Credit score: Brad Rempel-Imagn Photographs.
When the Minnesota Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson again in 2022, the early outcomes have been promising. Hockenson appeared to have the world at his toes as he put ahead a case to be acknowledged as probably the greatest tight ends in soccer. Then catastrophe struck.
T.J. Hockenson Out to Restore Status in 2026
After a powerful second half in 2022 following his commerce from the Detroit Lions, T.J. Hockenson was effectively on his solution to breaking the 1,000 receiving yards mark for the primary time in his profession.
Enjoying in opposition to his former staff in Week 16 of the 2023 season, Hockenson sat on 960 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns – reaching 1,000 appeared a formality. Then the Vikings TE1 suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his proper knee – a devastating harm.
Nov 30, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) makes a catch throughout the second half in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Subject. Obligatory Credit score: Kevin Ng-Imagn Photographs
It was a catastrophic harm that not solely ended that season in its tracks but additionally lingered effectively into the 2024 season. Hockenson went from borderline prime 5 at his place to virtually changing into a forgotten man.
The Vikings and Hockenson agreed on a restructured contract in March that will save the staff $5.75 million in wage cap area and make Hockenson a free agent on the finish of the season – a 12 months early. It ended hypothesis that Minnesota was trying to launch their TE1 who was as a result of be the highest-paid TE within the league this season.
Two Years of Battle
T.J. Hockenson didn’t return from his harm till Week 9 of the 2024 season however would then go on to play in each sport for the remainder of the season. In these 10 video games, Hockenson caught 41 of 62 targets for 455 receiving yards – respectable numbers for the variety of video games performed.
There have been just a few dangerous drops that caught the attention however most notably, for the primary and to this point solely time in his profession, Hockenson didn’t rating a single landing throughout the season.
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson (87) misses an open go throughout the first half of the NFL sport at Ford Subject in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. © Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK through Imagn Photographs.
With a full preseason behind him, the hope was for a return to type for the Vikings TE1 in 2025. Hockenson did get again on the rating sheet in 2025 with three landing catches. Nevertheless, regardless of taking part in in 15 video games his receiving yards really dropped barely to 438 from 51 receptions on 66 targets. That’s a humble 29.2 yards per sport. From these statistics, one thing that stands out to me is that in 5 further video games, Hockenson solely acquired 4 extra targets.
The offensive woes of the Vikings in 2025 stemmed from a whole catastrophe on the quarterback place, which noticed three completely different beginning QBs throughout the season (all of whom struggled). Folks soar to this reality when defending Justin Jefferson’s down season final 12 months, however it’s brushed apart when Hockenson is the topic at hand.
Can Hockenson get Again to His Greatest?
Hockenson had a few of his sharpness again in 2025 and his profitable catch share of 77.3 was the very best of his profession. Get correct balls to him frequently and Hockenson will ship. He additionally earned reward from the teaching employees for his blocking being the perfect it has been in his profession to this point.
Professional Soccer Focus just lately ranked Hockenson because the Twenty first-best TE in soccer. At 29 years previous, he ought to have lots left within the tank and in a settled Vikings offense that should present a lot enchancment from final 12 months, there isn’t a motive why he shouldn’t get himself again within the body for a prime 10 man at his place.
With this now being a contract 12 months with Hockenson taking part in for his future he ought to have all of the motivation that he wants.
Proud UK Viking. Household Man. Get pleasure from writing about my staff. Away from soccer an advocate for autism acceptance.
