T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings are quickly approaching the start of the new league year. Free agency officially opens on March 11 at 3pm, and teams need to be cap compliant by that point.
It has been full steam ahead for Rob Brzezinski since taking over as the head of Minnesota front office. With Kwesi Adofo-Mensah fired, the longtime executive has been tasked with sorting out a cap situation nearly $50 million in the red.
He has made significant changes to better the situation. Both restructures and cuts have been part of the process, and now T.J. Hockenson’s situation has been sorted out as well.
TJ Hockenson sticking with Minnesota Vikings
After Irv Smith Jr. suffered an injury in 2022, the Minnesota Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson to operate as their TE1. A big name that posted 960 yards and five touchdowns in 2023, he has been trended down since. A potential trade or cut candidate this offseason, he’s instead agreed to restructure his contract.
The Vikings have restructured the contract of tight end T.J. Hockenson, lowering his cap number by $5 million and keeping him in the fold for 2026, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Rob Brzezinski and team have been busy clearing space and getting the Vikings in a positive spot… pic.twitter.com/BaAsOrcXo7
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2026
This season Hockenson was set to carry a cap hit of $21.2 million. That now will reportedly be closer to $16 million, and allows the Iowa product to stay in Minnesota for a fifth season.
Cutting Hockenson would have left the Vikings with a dead cap of $12.4 million. The additional $4 million needed to keep him is insignificant enough to just bring him back. However, with only a $7.1 million dead cap number in 2027, he should be expected gone if the performance doesn’t take a drastic jump forward.
Last season Hockenson, despite terrible quarterback play, he had a career-worst 438 yards on 51 receptions. He scored just three touchdowns after not once finding the end zone in 10 games during 2024 with Sam Darnold.
MN Vikings tight end situation gets clarity
Had the Minnesota Vikings cut or traded Hockenson, they would have been in the market for a replacement this offseason. That could still be the case as the veteran doesn’t look long for the roster.
If Minnesota wanted to address the position with the best player available this offseason, then Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq could have been the answer. After an impressive NFL Combine performance though, it’s possible he wouldn’t have made it to pick 18.
The Vikings will go into the offseason with Hockenson, Josh Oliver, and Ben Bartholomew rounding out their tight end room. Oliver was extended last season, and Bartholomew was a 2025 NFL Draft pick despite missing the season due to injury.
Free agency opens on Wednesday, and with many of the Vikings affairs in order, they’ll be looking to rebound from the lackluster 9-8 season they put up in 2025.
Mentioned in this article: T.J. Hockenson
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