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JR44 · 03-06-2026, 10:40 AM

Lot of rumors that the Vikes are trying to get him to restructure otherwise may end up cutting him. He has clearly not been the same since his injury. We have no other options currently in regards to a passing catching TE.

It feels like we really have needed more from the TE position the past two years. Has not been that reliable go to target in key 3rd down situations. If we decided to go in another direction, from a pass catching TE perspective, I like Jonnu Smith who was recently cut by Steelers. He had a monster year with 88 receptions for the Dolphins in 2024 and looked unstoppable.

pattersaur · 03-06-2026, 10:56 AM

We don't save much by cutting him IIRC but that's still probably the move. It's not working here, maybe he'll do better somewhere else.

medaille · 03-06-2026, 10:57 AM

I think a lot of Hockenson’s issues are due to his inability to chip and then get out in a route quick enough and those routes I don’t think are very well designed, more just like emergency outlets. He kind of ended up in a situation where he often halfassed the chip, then was the outlet for the pressure he let go through, and wasn’t fast enough to be the outlet.

I think if you get Darrisaw and O’Neill healthy, you will see his production return to normal.

I think if you get better QB play, that forces defenses to cover more, and requires less chipping, that’ll also help things.

In general, I think KOC should ask for less chipping. Have him commit to blocking or commit to running a route.

I expect they’ll resign him and lower his cap hit. I think there's enough holes on the team that you got to resign one of your own, and he'll be one of them and maybe they'll seek one out in the draft, but you don't want to pigeon hole yourself.

IceRatz16 · 03-06-2026, 11:03 AM

Hockenson has become soft since his injury and never been the same. He did perform better last season and I realize that injury hits guys differently whether physically or mentally.

IMO, Oliver is more consistent than Hockenson and he's a better blocker.

I am also looking forward to Bart being healthy and seeing what he can do as he is a pass catching TE that could replace Hockenson. Frankly, Hock's bar has been lowered so much that I could see Bart being a solid fit in this offense this year, even if Hockenson remains.

In the draft, I love this guy that could be scooped up in the laster rounds of the draft or as an UDFA from Wisconsin/Indiana and that's Riley Nowakowski. He's played FB and TE and is a great blocker and can be that guy reminiscent of Kleinsasser.

purplefaithful · (This post was last modified: 03-06-2026, 11:18 AM by purplefaithful.)

(03-06-2026, 10:57 AM)medaille Wrote: I think if you get Darrisaw and O’Neill healthy, you will see his production return to normal.

I expect they’ll resign him and lower his cap hit. I think there's enough holes on the team that you got to resign one of your own, and he'll be one of them and maybe they'll seek one out in the draft, but you don't want to pigeon hole yourself.

It's a bit gray as to how much of his production decline is age/injury vs how they had to use him (especially last season). I suspect it's almost equal both.

I dont know how open to a re-structure he is or isnt...I know it's not helping things out in these situations having the QB position on the Vikings being one of the bigger QB question marks in the entire league.

*JimmyinSD* · 03-06-2026, 11:39 AM

seems that every one of the starters that catch passes showed a decrease in production last year vs previous seasons, more dropped passes, more passes off finger tips, etc etc etc. I think much of Hocks issues last year were related to the QB situation more than his game declining. All that said, if we can see similar production from a FA and can save cap money in the process.... might as well jump. I would still expect Hock to go onto another team and have a very nice year with a more established QB, perhaps KC if Kelce hangs it up.

MaroonBells · 03-06-2026, 01:01 PM

I think we have to keep him, and I think the two sides will agree to a number that works for both sides. He's still one of the better TEs in the league, and if he goes, there's a gaping hole at pass-catching TE that could only be filled by a 1st round draft pick, and I don't think anyone wants to use a precious 1st round pick on a TE.

StickierBuns · 03-06-2026, 01:08 PM

Put me in the 'keep TJ' camp. Just restructure. He's got plenty of juice yet.

*JimmyinSD* · 03-06-2026, 02:11 PM

(03-06-2026, 01:01 PM)MaroonBells Wrote: I think we have to keep him, and I think the two sides will agree to a number that works for both sides. He's still one of the better TEs in the league, and if he goes, there's a gaping hole at pass-catching TE that could only be filled by a 1st round draft pick, and I don't think anyone wants to use a precious 1st round pick on a TE.

not a first, but I think we should be strongly considering a TE in our pile of day 2 picks this year. We may have somebody ready to step up, but I would like to know that we have better depth there for the future. and a S, and a CB x2, and IOL, and IDL, and MLB.... and and and Tongue

and what the hell, lets grab another developmental QB on day 3.

Kentis · (This post was last modified: 03-06-2026, 03:13 PM by Kentis.)

(03-06-2026, 02:11 PM)JimmyinSD Wrote: not a first, but I think we should be strongly considering a TE in our pile of day 2 picks this year. We may have somebody ready to step up, but I would like to know that we have better depth there for the future. and a S, and a CB x2, and IOL, and IDL, and MLB.... and and and and what the hell, lets grab another developmental QB on day 3.

Vikings were definitely showing interest in day 3 TE’s in draft prep! Day 2 may be a bit rich…