The 2025 Minnesota Vikings struggled with consistency along the offensive line, largely due to injuries. The mix of a struggling line and J.J. McCarthy’s inconsistent play prevented T.J. Hockenson from excelling as a secure outlet as he had in the past.
When Christian Darrisaw was out with injury, the Vikings often used Hockenson as an extra blocker to create more time for McCarthy to throw.
As free agency approaches and the scouting combine begins, teams are taking a fine-toothed comb to their rosters. But before the Vikings worry about what they need, they may want to address their current cap situation.
What does T.J. Hockenson have to do with the cap situation?
If the Vikings decide that now is the time to part ways with the veteran TE, it might be worth shopping him. ESPN.com’s Ben Solak ranked all positions this offseason from deepest to thinnest, and tight end is one of the thinnest in the league, just above defensive tackle and *checks notes* quarterbacks.
Not only is the position thin, but Solak states that it’s a bad year for a team that needs a blocking tight end. Therefore, the Vikings might be able to cash in now to help allocate funds elsewhere.
Before moving Hockenson, the Vikings must assess what he offered the team last year, which teams would trade for him, and his market value.
Last season
The Vikings frequently used Hockenson as an extra lineman.
Hockenson accumulated 51 receptions for 438 yards and three scores over 15 games. However, he posted some of his worst numbers since his 2019 rookie season, excluding his injury-shortened 2024 season. He posted a career-low average yards per reception of 8.6 and failed to eclipse a 30-yard reception for just the second time in his career (2023).
Last year, Hockenson remained relatively healthy, missing only the final two games due to a shoulder injury. Still, he was able to be on the field for 69.03% of the team’s offensive snaps, ranking sixth on the team. He was third behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in non-offensive linemen.
While having a bigger role in the blocking game helped him stay on the field, the Vikings may feel he has more value in a trade with a tight-end-needy team.
The right spot
To fully maximize a player like Hockenson, teams must consider several factors.
If he’s going to be in more of a blocking role like last season, there still will be demand for him. A team that emphasizes the run may have more demand for him.
Teams that come to mind here are the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Chargers, and San Francisco 49ers. These teams rely heavily on their run game. However, they either have an aging roster, a quarterback under duress, or injury issues. Regardless, they could use another tight end.
If a team wants to use him as an extra passing threat, as was the case in prior seasons, someone with a young QB or plenty of deep threats would be the right fit. That would include teams like the Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, and the New York Jets. They need just another option for their quarterback, especially when they get in trouble and struggle to find anything downfield.
What would the Vikings need in return for it to be worth parting ways?
The return
Unfortunately, what they would acquire in return would be less than what they gave the Detroit Lions in the trade before the 2022 trade deadline. At that time, the Vikings sent a 2023 second-round pick and a 2024 third-round pick, and received a 2023 fourth-round pick and a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick, along with Hockenson. The team essentially got him for a second-rounder.
The team should expect something along the lines of a fourth-round pick for Hockenson. If they can capitalize further than that, the team should be enthusiastic to get a potential net positive out of the trade. Hockenson’s production has dropped significantly since he tore his ACL and MCL on Kerby Joseph’s low hit.
While the Vikings could extend Hockenson’s contract to make extra cap room for the 2026 season, it might just be better to cut their losses. Josh Oliver, 28, had one more touchdown than Hockenson and a higher average yards per reception.
If last season showed teams anything, it’s that Hockenson can be that extra anchor on the line. Now is the time for the Vikings to sell high on an above-average tight end who can block.