It was a decision that struck many as an odd one last November. The Detroit Lions traded one of their best players, tight end T.J. Hockenson, for a second-round draft pick — to the division rival Minnesota Vikings, no less.
Hockenson was a first-round pick by the prior Lions regime back in 2019 and had established himself as one of the NFL’s better tight ends. However, he didn’t exactly fit with the long-term vision of the Lions for a few reasons.
Those reasons were perfectly encapsulated in a social media post from Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Russini reported on Hockenson’s thus-far futile quest for a massive contract from Minnesota, as well as yet another minor malady that is keeping the athletically impressive tight end off the field.
“The Vikings and tight end T.J. Hockenson have been working on an extension, but both sides are far apart, per league sources. Hockenson wants to reset the market with a historic contract extension for tight ends,” Russini wrote via X (formerly Twitter).
She continued,
“He has been limited at practice because of an ear infection and back soreness.”
The Vikings and tight end T.J. Hockenson have been working on an extension, but both sides are far apart, per league sources.
Hockenson wants to reset the market with a historic contract extension for tight ends.
He has been limited at practice because of an ear infection and…— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) August 23, 2023
Hockenson’s best season in Detroit was 2021, the only one where he played more than 12 games. He caught 67 passes for 723 yards and six TDs. That’s pretty good, but nowhere near what should command a “historic” payday at his position. The nagging injuries were always an avoidable piece of the conversation for Hockenson in Detroit, too.
The Lions drafted Sam LaPorta with one of their second-round picks to replace Hockenson’s receiving contributions in the lineup. With the other second-round pick, the one they acquired in the trade with the Vikings, Detroit added defensive back Brian Branch.
