T.J. Hockenson has reached a crossroads during his time with the Minnesota Vikings. A player who signed a four-year, $66 million contract in the summer of 2023 hasn’t lived up to that billing over the past two seasons, and it’s turned Hockenson from a fan favorite to a player who could be playing for his future.
But if that wasn’t enough motivation to turn things around, B/R’s Brad Gagnon may have provided some more as he dubbed Hockenson’s contract one of the worst in the NFL ahead of next season.
“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,” Gagnon wrote. “His body might not have a lot left.”
Hockenson’s contract has since been renegotiated to a one-year, $10.25 million contract that will make him a free agent after the year. With the chorus of doubters getting louder both online and in the Vikings’ front office, it could motivate Hockenson to get back to his previous form and perhaps solidify his future in Minnesota.
T.J. Hockenson must produce to stay with the Minnesota Vikings past this season
The Vikings had a good incentive to work out a contract extension with Hockenson in the summer of 2023. Acquired from the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2022 trade deadline, Hockenson caught 60 passes for 519 yards and three touchdowns in the final 10 games for the Vikings.
When the ink dried on his new contract, Hockenson caught 95 passes for 960 yards and five touchdowns in 15 games during the 2023 season, but suffered a multiligament knee injury from a hit by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph on Christmas Eve.
The injury forced Hockenson to miss the first seven games of the 2024 season, and he hasn’t looked like the same player since. With turnover at the quarterback position, Hockenson also struggled to become a favorite target, catching 92 passes for 893 yards and three touchdowns over the past two seasons.
This has a lot of fans saying that Hockenson is now “washed” entering this year. But a lot of the factors, including Joseph’s hit, have been out of his control.
The first was the missed time in 2024 that never allowed him to establish a relationship with Sam Darnold. With time to heal from the injury, Hockenson worked with J.J. McCarthy last offseason, but he struggled like the rest of the Vikings’ pass-catchers as McCarthy suffered an ankle injury that hindered his development.
That injury may have also brought another positive outcome for Hockenson. Kyler Murray peppered Trey McBride with 422 targets over the last three seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, and he could look to do the same, using Hockenson as a security valve as he becomes more confident in the offense.
Better health and better quarterback play are just two things in Hockenson’s favor going into next year. But so are other motivations, such as the Vikings' reported interest in Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq ahead of last month’s draft. A clean slate under new general manager Nolan Teasley could also help if he performs well.
Put it all together, and the Vikings should have a motivated and healthy Hockenson in 2026, and it’s up to him to pick up the pieces and build a case to stick around.
Add us as a preferred source on Google