The Minnesota Vikings haven’t gotten much from their rookies in recent years. The lack of talent produced by recent draft classes was a big reason the Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and replaced him with Nolan Teasley. Still, some of Adofo-Mensah’s picks have a chance to rewrite that narrative, including tight end Gavin Bartholomew.
A sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft, Bartholomew missed his entire rookie season with a back injury but has flashed at times during this year’s training camp.
Vikings TE’s injury woes could give Gavin Bartholomew a chance to breakout in 2026
While vaulting to the top of the depth chart is unlikely this season, The Athletic’s Alec Lewis had Bartholomew making the team on his 53-man roster projection after Sunday’s night practice and it could open the door to more if his rebound campaign goes to plan.
“This position feels a bit overlooked,” Lewis wrote. “[T.J. Hockenson] has had a quiet camp, and [Josh Oliver’s] role tends to keep him under the radar. That said, both players need to stay healthy to allow the Vikings offense to dictate personnel matchups to defenses the way they envisioned.
“...Bartholomew’s pass-catching talent may give him more upside, but even if he establishes himself as worthy of the No. 3 role, the Vikings will be betting big on alternatives in the event of an injury.”
The hint that another tight end could be signed if an injury happens is concerning for Bartholomew, but the fact that an injury is possible could help him climb the depth chart in the short-term.
After arriving in Minnesota ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, Hockenson broke out with 95 catches for 960 yards and five touchdowns before suffering a multiligament knee injury in a loss to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Eve in 2023.
Hockenson missed the first seven games of the 2024 season recovering from that injury and played 15 games last season, but hasn’t looked like the same player, failing to record as many receptions (92) or receiving yards (893) in the past two seasons combined.
The other opportunity could come from Oliver. Serving as the Vikings’ blocking tight end, Oliver has caught just 59 passes for 631 yards and nine touchdowns during his three years in Minnesota. But he’s also missed two games in each of the past two seasons. While rookie Max Bredeson could fill in if Oliver could go on the shelf again, it’s another chance for Bartholomew to get playing time should that happen this season.
Bartholomew’s college stats aren’t going to make Vikings fans believe they have a star in the making with 105 catches for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns over four years at Pittsburgh. But his receiving chops are good enough to make it as a reserve tight end and was regarded as a solid run blocker, although his best Pro Football Focus grade in that category was 51.4 during his final season with the Panthers.
It’s possible that Bartholomew could be a year away from getting a larger role than the third tight end spot. But if all goes well, he could have a chance for a brighter long-term future.
Bartholomew could play his way into the Vikings’ plans at tight end
The Vikings’ tight end room is unsettled going forward, as Hockenson will become a free agent at the end of this season under a restructured contract. Oliver’s importance to the running game will likely bring him back in 2027, even though Spotrac lists an out in his contract after this year, and Bartholomew could return as the third tight end if he wins the battle in camp.
But things could get interesting if Hockenson leaves in free agency. Next year’s draft is considered strong with Oregon’s Jamari Johnson, LSU’s Trey’Dez Green and Texas Tech’s Terrance Carter Jr. listed as the top three prospects per ESPN’s Jordan Reid. The Vikings also have considered life after Hockenson, as they were connected with Kenyon Sadiq before the Oregon product was selected with the 16th overall pick by the New York Jets in April’s draft.
Unless a free-agent tight end becomes available, Bartholomew can have an opportunity if he parleys his solid camp into an even better second season. Reaching Hockenson’s 2023 production could be a stretch, but it could answer one question on a team that has a lot of them beyond the 2026 season.
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