T.J. Hockenson Out to Restore Reputation in 2026

When the Minnesota Vikings traded for T.J. Hockenson back in 2022, the early results were promising. Hockenson seemed to have the world at his feet as he put forward a case to be recognized as one of the best tight ends in football. Then disaster struck.

T.J. Hockenson Out to Restore Reputation in 2026

After a strong second half in 2022 following his trade from the Detroit Lions, T.J. Hockenson was well on his way to breaking the 1,000 receiving yards mark for the first time in his career.

Playing against his former team in Week 16 of the 2023 season, Hockenson sat on 960 receiving yards and five touchdowns – reaching 1,000 seemed a formality. Then the Vikings TE1 suffered a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee – a devastating injury.

It was a catastrophic injury that not only ended that season in its tracks but also lingered well into the 2024 season. Hockenson went from borderline top five at his position to almost becoming a forgotten man.

The Vikings and Hockenson agreed on a restructured contract in March that would save the team $5.75 million in salary cap space and make Hockenson a free agent at the end of the season – a year early. It ended speculation that Minnesota was looking to release their TE1 who was due to be the highest-paid TE in the league this season.

Two Years of Struggle

T.J. Hockenson didn’t return from his injury until Week 9 of the 2024 season but would then go on to play in every game for the rest of the season. In those 10 games, Hockenson caught 41 of 62 targets for 455 receiving yards – respectable numbers for the number of games played.

There were a few bad drops that caught the eye but most notably, for the first and to date only time in his career, Hockenson didn’t score a single touchdown across the season.

With a full preseason behind him, the hope was for a return to form for the Vikings TE1 in 2025. Hockenson did get back on the score sheet in 2025 with three touchdown catches. However, despite playing in 15 games his receiving yards actually dropped slightly to 438 from 51 receptions on 66 targets. That’s a humble 29.2 yards per game. From those statistics, something that sticks out to me is that in five extra games, Hockenson only got four more targets.

The offensive woes of the Vikings in 2025 stemmed from a complete disaster at the quarterback position, which saw three different starting QBs across the season (all of whom struggled). People jump to this fact when defending Justin Jefferson’s down season last year, but it is brushed aside when Hockenson is the subject at hand. 

Can Hockenson get Back to His Best?

Hockenson had some of his sharpness back in 2025 and his successful catch percentage of 77.3 was the highest of his career. Get accurate balls to him regularly and Hockenson will deliver. He also earned praise from the coaching staff for his blocking being the best it has been in his career so far.

Pro Football Focus recently ranked Hockenson as the 21st-best TE in football. At 29 years old, he should have plenty left in the tank and in a settled Vikings offense that needs to show much improvement from last year, there is no reason why he shouldn’t get himself back in the frame for a top 10 guy at his position.

With this now being a contract year with Hockenson playing for his future he should have all the motivation that he needs.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.