31 August 2023
T.J. Hockenson is sticking around Minnesota.
That much is clear after general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah announced on Thursday that the Vikings have agreed to terms with the star tight end on a contract extension. It will reportedly make Hockenson among the highest paid players in the NFL at his position.
It felt like only a matter of time before the Vikings got something done with Hockenson. He emerged as an important part of the Vikings last season after being acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions, finishing 2022 with 60 catches for 519 yards and 3 touchdowns across 10 games with the Vikings.
That type of production excited head coach Kevin O’Connell as he envisioned pairing Hockenson with star receiver Justin Jefferson for the foreseeable future.
Though he missed a good portion of training camp with some health issues — he battled an ear infection, then lower-back stiffness — Hockenson should be ready to go for the Sept. 10 season opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He made that clear even before he agreed to terms on his contract extension.
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