Tyler Conklin
Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
This offseason the Minnesota Vikings have been among the most active teams in free agency. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was armed with a sizable amount of open cap space. He utilized that on both the offensive line and defensive front.
Kevin O’Connell was granted an offensive upgrade in the form of Rondale Moore. The MN Vikings offense needs to surround new starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy with a considerable amount of talent if the hope to see him succeed.
The tight end position is arguably better than it has ever been. T.J. Hockenson is a legitimate weapon, and Josh Oliver emerged as such while he was out. Tyler Conklin was previously among the talent at the position, but moved on to the New York Jets prior to the 2022 season. Now he’s got a new team again.
Tyler Conklin emerges with Minnesota Vikings foe in Los Angeles
Last season the Los Angeles Rams had the Minnesota Vikings number. Sean McVay, Kevin O’Connell’s former boss, bested him twice. Matthew Stafford beat Minnesota during the regular season and then replicated the result during the playoffs. In 2025 the Rams could beat Minnesota again with tight end Tyler Conklin on the roster.
Congrats Tyler Conklin agreeing to a 1 year deal with the @chargers @T_Conk1
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) March 21, 2025
Last season, playing with Aaron Rodgers and a disfunctional version of the New York Jets, Conklin was active for 16 games. He drew 15 starts and hauled in 51 passes for 449 yards. Rodgers looked to his veteran tight end plenty, and completed four touchdowns passes.
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Conklin’s four touchdown catches from 2024 equaled the amount of times he found the end zone with Minnesota. During his first year with New York he scored three times.
Tight end a focal point for Minnesota Vikings
This seasons the Minnesota Vikings will break in a young new quarterback in the form of J.J. McCarthy. He has been equipped with a new third wide receiver in the form of Rondale Moore. The offense needs as many weapons as they can get though, and even moreso should Jordan Addison be suspended.
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports
Another year removed from his knee injury, T.J. Hockenson is likely to be a focal part of the offense. Last season Hockenson played in ten games, drawing nine starts, and tallied 455 yards on 41 receptions. He didn’t find the end zone though and that was a sizable decrease from his five touchdowns the year prior.
Both Hockenson and Josh Oliver can contribute offensively for the Vikings. If each perform to their potential, then McCarthy will have underneath options that should serve him well. Conklin’s departure from the Jets leaves Jeremy Ruckert as the incumbent starter, and Justin Fields will be forced to make it work.
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If the Vikings aren’t going to add another big wideout option, then they’ll rely heavily on the big men from the line. Conklin is going to try and make that work with the Rams. Matthew Stafford could lean on him to help support the production left from Cooper Kupp going to the Seattle Seahawks.
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