Vikings Sign Hockenson to Largest TE Deal in History

Vikings Sign Hockenson to Largest TE Deal in History

31 August, 2023

T.J. Hockenson and the Minnesota Vikings reached an agreement on a contract extension, the team revealed on Thursday.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Hockenson’s contract will last four years and be worth $68.5 million, with $42.5 million guaranteed. According to Over The Cap, Darren Waller’s $17 million APY would be surpassed by the tight end’s $17.125 average annual pay, making it the highest in NFL history for a tight end. The largest guaranteed salary in the NFL would also belong to Hockenson.

26-year-old Hockenson had a breakthrough year in 2022, hauling in 86 passes for 914 yards and six scores. Before being traded to the Vikings in the middle of the season, he played the first seven games of the season with the Detroit Lions. In 10 games for Minnesota, Hockenson hauled in 60 passes for 519 yards and three scores.

In 57 career games, the former No. 8 overall pick in 2019 has 246 receptions for 2,587 yards and 18 touchdowns. These numbers place tight ends fifth, sixth, and seventh overall over the previous four seasons. In addition to making the Pro Bowl in 2020, Hockenson also made it in 2022.

Hockenson was the first high-profile deal to be signed by the Vikings under the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O’Connell period. Running back Dalvin Cook was already released by the team, and with the 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft, receiver Jordan Addison was selected. Justin Jefferson, the 2022 Offensive Player of the Year, might sign a deal with the largest pay ever paid to a wide receiver after setting the NFL record for most receiving yards in a player’s first three seasons with 4,825.