The Vikes acquired Hockenson via an intra-divisional swap with the Lions in advance of the 2022 trade deadline. In 10 regular season games in Minnesota, Hockenson posted 60 catches for 519 yards and three scores. His 8.7 yards per reception rate was somewhat disappointing in light of the 11.1 YPR average he enjoyed over 3+ years in Detroit, but that could be a result of small sample size noise and could improve with a full offseason of work in the Vikings’ offense. Hockenson demonstrated how explosive he can be in the club’s wildcard round loss to the Giants, racking up 10 catches (on 11 targets) for 129 yards.
Hockenson, who will turn 26 next month, is under club control through 2023 since Detroit exercised the fifth-year option of his rookie deal last April. He is due to earn $9.4MM for the upcoming season, which would represent something of a bargain given the current state of the TE market.
Honestly instead of paying Hock $15+ mill per year, the Vikes should let him walk in free agency and likely get a 3rd round pick back as a comp pick. They won’t because it would make the GM look like an idiot for trading for him, but that would be the smart move. The team is headed for a rebuild, why pay a TE a bunch of money during a rebuild!?
And to be honest, I like Hock, he’s good, but he aint worth anywhere close to a 4 years - 70 million dollar deal. If you are going to pay a TE that kinda money he better be close to Kelce’s level IMO