Pro Bowl Trade Pickup Expected to Have ‘Strong’ Season With Vikings

The Minnesota Vikings have yet to get the full experience, but they have one of the top-10 tight ends in the league, T.J. Hockenson, according to an ESPN survey. Acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions in 2022, Hockenson is entering his second full season with the Vikings.

Hockenson caught 41 passes for 455 yards, appearing in 10 games with nine starts after missing the first eight weeks of the season recovering from multiple torn ligaments.

Still, Hockenson finished the regular season eighth in receiving yards among tight ends.

“He was OK — didn’t appear to trust the knee, especially in blocking, which is common for that injury,” an anonymous NFL coordinator said, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler on July 11. “But I expect him to have a strong year. He will trust it more a year removed and that offense is set up nicely for him. And he’s got such a good feel for the game that he’ll find ways to get catches.”

Hockenson had a 5-64-1 line in the Vikings’ playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

He was 12th in receptions per game, which could increase this season, with the Vikings going from veteran quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold to J.J. McCarthy.

“Hockenson’s status within the Vikings’ offense was growing before a torn ACL and MCL suffered on a late hit in Week 16 of 2023 stalled that progress. Up to that point, Hockenson’s 95 receptions were the 18th most in NFL history among tight ends,” Fowler wrote. “Returning close to midseason last year, Hockenson still produced three games of at least 68 yards from November to December. But, overall, he wasn’t quite at full tilt.

“A first-year starting quarterback’s best friend is a tight end, so don’t be surprised if J.J. McCarthy hits it off with Hockenson over the middle of the field — especially when he sees soft spots in zone coverages, which Hockenson navigates well.”

Hockenson’s highest ranking on this year’s list was fifth, the same spot he checked in heading into 2024, and a good sign of the optimism for him further removed from his injury.

His lowest spot was unranked.

T.J. Hockenson a Key Target for J.J. McCarthy

McCarthy was the Vikings’ first first-round pick in the 2025 draft. He tore his meniscus and missed the regular season. Hockeson returned from injured reserve in October.

Hockenson and McCarthy had no reps together entering this offseason, making their work during the spring and coming up in training camp critical. It also means Hockenson’s fit with McCarthy remains largely a projection.

There are some encouraging signs for Hockenson in McCarthy’s history, though.

McCarthy entered the league with questions about his ceiling as a passer, some of which lingered into this offseason. However, McCarthy had no issues finding his tight ends in college.

Colston Loveland

, now of the Chicago Bears, finished with three fewer receptions than Roman Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers) for the lead on the Wolverines in 2023. Luke Schoonmaker, now of the Dallas Cowboys, faced a steeper gap behind Ronnie Bell (Lions).

He was still second on the Wolverines in receptions in 2022.

Vikings Have Surrounded J.J. McCarthy With 3-Headed Pro Bowl Trio

Hockenson is one of three Pro Bowlers featured in the Vikings’ offense, earning trips in 2020 and 2022. He joins wide receiver Justin Jefferson, who is a four-time participant and two-time All-Pro selection.

Running back Aaron Jones, who represented the NFC with Hockenson in 2020, is also back after a career-high 255 carries for 1,138 yards in 2024.

With a stout defense and revamped offensive line, the Vikings have insulated McCarthy.

Getting McCarthy to hit the ground running this season could mean the Vikings must involve Hockenson in the game plan early to open things up for Jefferson on the perimeter and Jones on the ground.