Minnesota Vikings, T.J. Hockenson agree to terms on multi-year extension
EAGAN, Minnesota (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Vikings announced Thursday morning they’ve agreed to terms on a contract extension for T.J. Hockenson.
One of the top tight ends in the NFL, Hockenson will now be compensated as such. According to multiple reports, Hockenson had been considered a "hold-in" at training camp. He went through walk-throughs and some individual drills, but stood and watched team drills both in camp and during joint practices with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals.
Team officials had said Hockenson was dealing with an ear infection that affected his equilibrium, and then a lower back issue. Hockenson said during camp he’ll be ready for Week 1 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at U.S. Bank Stadium. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, it's a four-year deal worth $68.5 million. The average salary of $17.125 million and $42.5 million guaranteed are the highest for a tight end in NFL history. He's now under contract with the Vikings through the 2027 season.
"Excited about that. He fits our culture, he’s the type of player that we want around here in Minnesota. Really excited to get it done, a lot of late nights into this and we’re excited about that," Vikings General Manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said Thursday morning from TCO Performance Center.
Hockenson passes Darren Waller, Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Dallas Goedert and Mark Andrews as the highest-paid tight end in the NFL.
"It’s been an incredible year to be here, be a part of the Minnesota Vikings, be a part of this organization and really be a part of this city. "It's really incredible to be here. Very excited to spend the next four, five years here," Hockenson said after practice Thursday. "It’s an incredible experience for me, I’m happy it’s behind me. It’s truly a good fit for me and I’ve known that since Day 1. This is a place I want to be long term and to have that done and have dreams coming to a reality, it’s incredible."
The Vikings traded a second round pick to acquire Hockenson last season. He made his Vikings’ debut in Week 9 and had nine catches for 70 yards. He set an NFL record with 26 catches in his first four games with Minnesota, the most in league history for a tight end in their first four games.
Hockenson finished the season with 60 catches for 519 yards and three touchdowns in seven starts and 10 games with the Vikings. Between the Lions and Vikings last season, Hockenson had a career-high 914 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
"Thrilled to know we’ve got T.J. here as a major part of our core on offense. I think when we got him in Week 6 of last season, our hopes were that we were acquiring a player that would become a major part of our offense moving forward. We saw the immediate impact over those 11 games, what he was able to do. We’ve been able to build on T.J.’s role here, have a great process throughout the offseason of what it’s going to look like within our offensive system for a major player like T.J. to be a part of it," Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said Thursday morning. "Just knowing where our young core is at, our quarterback where he’s at coming out of training camp, I’m very excited about our offensive side."
Hockenson will speak with reporters after practice on Thursday.
OTHER VIKINGS NOTES
Kevin O’Connell announced Thursday the players named eight captains for the 2023 season. Kirk Cousins was a unanimous choice. Justin Jefferson is a first-time captain. The others are veterans Brian O’Neill, Harrison Smith, Jordan Hicks, Danielle Hunter, C.J. Ham and Josh Metellus.
O’Connell said Kene Nwangwu was put on injured reserve with a low back issue. NFL teams do not have to disclose ailments until Week 1, when they issue injury reports. Nwangwu was placed on IR Wednesday, which means he’ll miss at least the first four games. Had it been earlier, he would’ve missed the entire season.
The Vikings have added Nick Vigil, Henry Byrd, Hakeem Adeniji and Tyrese Robinson to fill out the 16-player practice squad.