Sports
The T.J. Hockenson Landing Spots if Vikings Move On
The Minnesota Vikings’ salary cap situation is grim in mid-February, but can be easily “fixed” with a few strokes of a pen. One such transaction might include a roster cut for T.J. Hockenson, who managed just 438 receiving yards in 2025 because the franchise used him more as a blocker than a pass-catcher. If so, Hockenson would land somewhere in March, and the following destinations make the most sense.
If Minnesota moves on from Hockenson, several teams make sense based on scheme fit, cap space, and tight end need.
And, of course, Minnesota would need a replacement TE1, either from free agency or the draft.
The Most Logical Landing Spots for Hockenson
Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top Hockenson landing spot), here’s where Minnesota’s TE1 could end up if released.
5. Houston Texans
The Texans are stocked with decent tight ends: Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover. Hockenson isn’t fully mandatory.
Still, Texans quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson worked with Hockenson in 2022 as the Vikings’ assistant quarterbacks coach. He saw the immediate impact Hockenson had on Minnesota’s offense. Houston could sign Hockenson as a TE1-TE2 and slide Stover to the back of the line.
4. Washington Commanders
The Commanders’ best tight end under contract next season is a man named John Bates. So, yes, Washington needs a TE1, and if Minnesota lets Hockenson walk, some team can sign him for cheap because the Vikings will be on the hook for most of his 2026 salary.
A guy named Lance Newmark is the assistant general manager in Washington. From 2016 to 2021, he worked as the Detroit Lions’ Director of Player Personnel, meaning he helped bring Hockenson into the NFL. The connection is there.
3. Carolina Panthers
Darrell Bevell will be the Panthers’ assistant head coach in 2026, and Bevell offensively coordinated Hockenson during his first two seasons in the NFL. Bevell also has ties to the Vikings from 20 years ago; this thing has pipelines all around.
Carolina’s tight ends are scheduled to be Tommy Tremble and JaTavion Sanders next season. Hockenson will surge to the top of the depth chart if signed in Carolina and will be featured heavily, which he’ll enjoy. The Vikings basically ignored him in the passing game last season.
Zach Roberts of SI.com on the Panthers’ tight end need: “The Panthers have tried drafting a tight end, and they still need one. If they aren’t going to draft one early, which they probably shouldn’t, then they shouldn’t draft one at all. There are some interesting names on the potential trade market like Dawson Knox and Cole Kmet, so the Panthers should be willing to send a mid-round draft pick or two to whoever to add one of those tight ends.”
2. Atlanta Falcons
Bob Quinn is the senior advisor to the head coach down in Atlanta, and he personally drafted Hockenson in 2019 as the Lions’ general manager. Tanner Engstrand also works for the Falcons as the passing game coordinator; he has ties to Hockenson from the Lions’ days as Hockenson’s tight end coach.
Atlanta may not have the funds to retain Kyle Pitts next month. If that’s true, the Falcons can let Pitts walk to the highest bidder and sign Hockenson for NFL pennies.
SI.com‘s Garrett Champman on Pitts: “A franchise tag is anticipated to rise to ~$16 million in 2026 (5.28%) of the projected cap. The former No. 4 overall pick never quite lived up to his lofty pre-draft expectations, but did bookend his time in Atlanta with a pair of years that were among the NFL’s best.”
“He is still only 25, and his best football very well could be ahead of him. With some inconsistent seasons mixed in there for Pitts, the idea of signing him to a long extension could carry some risk. However, nothing would be worse for a Falcons fan to stomach than the tight end taking his game to the elite level in another uniform.”
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Who was Hockenson’s tight end coach for the last four seasons? Brian Angelichio. Where does Angelichio work now? He’s the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. What’s one of the top offseason needs for the Steelers? A true TE1.
This is the best fit for Hockenson, mainly because of the Angelichio connection. If Hockenson leaves this offseason, folks should expect him to land in Pittsburgh, where he’ll feast on Aaron Rodgers’s balls for a year.
Otherwise, Pittsburgh can roll with Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Jonnu Smith again and call it good. Mike McCarthy’s team certainly doesn’t have a quantity problem at tight end. It just needs better quality. That’s Hockenson.
