The Minnesota Vikings' offense has been lackluster in seven of eight quarters so far this season. A number of issues have played into that, starting with a simple lack of plays (fewer than 50 in both games) driven by having the fourth-worst third-down efficiency in the league through two games.
Going into the season, it seemed J.J. McCarthy's perceived strengths as a passer lined up well for tight end T.J. Hockenson, but through two games, that has not come close to happening, as the tight end has just four catches for 27 yards on seven targets.
A clip of a route Hockenson ran against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 3 went viral for all the wrong reasons. Without some inexplicable movement during the route, it likely would have been a completion on what looked like a well-placed throw from McCarthy.
It's far too early to declare Hockenson might be cooked. The torn ACL he suffered late in the 2023 season is well behind him now, but it's not as if he was the most athletic tight end to start with. As he said, he succeeds based on being a good route runner above all else (save for the aforementioned clip).
But something has to change, or there will be questions about Hockenson's ability to justify what he's being paid.
Can Carson Wentz bring T.J. Hockenson back as a factor for the Minnesota Vikings offense?
Losing McCarthy to a high ankle sprain is not ideal, but the Vikings are turning to an experienced veteran in Carson Wentz for what looks like the next three games.
That said, Wentz has not started a full season since 2021 for the Indianapolis Colts, so there are questions about how he'll look. The internal talk has naturally been positive, but we have to see it in game action before buying in.
McCarthy's accuracy struggles have impacted every Vikings' pass catcher. Hockenson is not exactly an elite separator, so it's fair to wonder if McCarthy has been hesitant to look his direction if the throwing window is tighter than he's comfortable with.
Wentz, in the position he's in (within reason), might not be as hesitant to throw the ball Hockenson's way if the coverage on him is tight.
Wentz, of course, also has a 94-start resume as an NFL starter. What could that mean for Hockenson?
Wentz started all 16 games during his rookie season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016. Tight end Zach Ertz was second on the team in targets (106), with team-highs in catches (78) and receiving yards (816)
A torn ACL shortened Wentz's second season, but in 11 games with him, Ertz was targeted 85 times with 57 catches for 663 yards and seven touchdowns.
Wentz started 11 games for the Eagles in 2018. Ertz clearly led the team in targets (156), catches (116), and receiving yards (1,163) that season. In those 11 games with Wentz, Ertz had 106 targets with 82 catches, 874 yards, and six touchdowns.
In 2019, Wentz's final full season as the Eagles' starter, Ertz again led the team in targets (135), catches (88), and receiving yards (916) while No. 2 tight end Dallas Goedert was second on the team in all three categories.
The Colts had their typical carousel of tight ends when Wentz started all 17 games in 2021, but the trio of Mo Alie-Cox, Jack Doyle, and Kylen Granson combined for 64 receptions on over 100 targets.
Pro Football Focus data over the course of his career shows Wentz is very proficient as a short and intermediate passer, and in the middle of the field. That's where Hockenson lives, as a lot of tight ends do.
The quarterback change could be a good short-term thing for the Vikings' offense. If Hockenson can't get on a better track with Wentz under center, then some broader conversations could be had about him being in real decline.