Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson celebrates a fourth-quarter landing with tight finish Josh Oliver and guard Dalton Risner throughout a divisional matchup in opposition to the Chicago Bears at U.S. Financial institution Stadium. The scoring play helped energize Minnesota on Nov. 27, 2023, because the Vikings battled Chicago in a key NFC North contest. Obligatory Credit score: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Minnesota Vikings didn’t use tight finish T.J. Hockenson to his full potential as a pass-catcher in 2025, and in the course of the summer time of 2026, he ended up on “worst contracts” lists. Humorous how that works.
Hockenson accepted a paycut this offseason to stick with the Vikings, hoping to rekindle a few of his pass-catching aptitude in Yr No. 5 in Minnesota.
A More healthy Vikings Offense May Change the Notion of Hockenson
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson addresses reporters throughout a staff look on the Sport Eire Campus because the franchise continued its worldwide outreach efforts. The veteran pass-catcher spoke on Sep. 26, 2025, in Dublin, Eire, whereas Minnesota helped promote the NFL’s rising presence abroad by way of future world occasions and initiatives. Obligatory Credit score: Kirby Lee-Imagn Pictures
Bleacher Report: Hockenson’s Contract Certainly one of League’s Worst
BR’s Brad Gagnon recognized 10 of the game’s worst offers, and Hockenson, sadly, made the reduce.
Gagnon wrote, “The Contract: 4 years, $66 million with $40.2 million guaranteed (extension signed in 2023). The Problem: The nearly 29-year-old has scored just three touchdowns since the start of 2024 and has fallen short of 500 yards in each of the last two seasons.”
“His body might not have a lot left. The Kicker: Hockenson is the third-highest-paid tight end in the sport and carries the top salary-cap hit at the position in 2026, despite the fact the team reworked his deal in March. There’s also no more wiggle room as he’s entering a contract year.”
The court docket of public opinion amongst Vikings followers is combined on Hockenson — some had been excited to maybe begin a recent period at tight finish when the 2026 offseason started; others believed he deserved one other trial as a pass-catching tight finish in 2026.
The latter gained out.
“Hockenson has had a good run, but his days of being a majorly impactful player on the offensive end might be behind him. The silver lining for Minnesota is that Hockenson has just one year remaining on his deal, so it won’t be an albatross for much longer.”
A Uncooked Deal
Let’s set the stage for Hockenson’s 2025 season. The Vikings had been compelled to make use of him as a utility participant because of a struggling offensive line and quite a few accidents. Head coach Kevin O’Connell even acknowledged that Hockenson was blocking considerably greater than common, which naturally led to fewer targets and alternatives for him to showcase his Professional Bowl expertise.
Including to the instability was a revolving door at quarterback, with J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all seeing motion. It prevented Minnesota’s passing sport from ever establishing a rhythm. Regardless of the challenges, Hockenson nonetheless managed 51 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns. Whereas these numbers appeared modest on paper and drew criticism from followers, the sport movie reveals a unique narrative.
Hockenson was primarily tasked with shoring up a fractured offense, usually functioning as a further lineman to forestall a whole collapse.
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson will get set earlier than a snap throughout second-half motion in opposition to the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Area. The veteran offensive weapon took the sphere on Nov. 30, 2025, in Seattle as Minnesota continued its push by way of the closing stretch of the common season in a key highway matchup. Obligatory Credit score: Steven Bisig-Imagn Pictures
Turning 29 this yr, Hockenson retains all his key strengths: glorious route working and an unlimited catch radius. With a secure offensive line, a wholesome quarterback, and a return to a devoted receiving function, a rebound in his efficiency can’t be dominated out.
2027 Off-Ramp Scheduled
Simply in case Hockenson by no means returns to his 2022 and 2023 type, the Vikings have already got a contingency plan. When the veteran tight finish took a paycut this offseason, the association additionally slated Hockenson for 2027 free company. For all intents and functions, the upcoming season is scheduled as Hockenson’s final within the Twin Cities.
If he returns to pristine TE1 type — full with receptions and touchdowns that match his contract — effectively, the membership can lengthen him. It’s so simple as that.
Alternatively, if Hockenson’s profession actually modified the second he tore his ACL in December 2023, he can transfer to a different staff whereas Minnesota explores free company or the 2027 NFL Draft for his substitute. It’s how the enterprise works.
Don’t Neglect That Kyler Murray Loves TEs
Hockenson may be in fabulous form this season. Murray is trending because the frontrunner to win the QB1 job at coaching camp, and in that case, Murray has a documented historical past of feeding tight ends.
Minnesota Vikings tight finish T.J. Hockenson appears to be like again after a missed passing alternative throughout first-half motion in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Ford Area. The play unfolded on Jan. 5, 2025, in Detroit as Minnesota battled its NFC North rival within the regular-season finale with postseason positioning nonetheless on the road. Obligatory Credit score: Kimberly P. Mitchell-Imagn Pictures
On Murray’s watch in Arizona, Trey McBride became one of many NFL’s greatest tight ends — maybe the most effective — and Murray has lots to do with that. McBride can doubtless feast with any quarterback, however he feasted with Murray particularly.
Quarterback instability and inconsistency damage playmakers like Hockenson and Jordan Addison in 2025. There’s a world the place these woes finish this September as a result of Murray is aware of find out how to get the ball out on time and feed his pass-catchers.
However from a nationwide perspective, Hockenson evidently has one of many worst contracts within the NFL.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … Extra about Dustin Baker
