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The Minnesota Vikings informed several veterans of their impending releases over the past few weeks. These moves were partially about getting younger, but were largely driven by the need to free up cap space, as Minnesota entered the offseason roughly $43 million over the cap.
That led to speculation that T.J. Hockenson, set to have a $21 million cap hit, could soon follow in their footsteps.
Instead, the Vikings reworked Hockenson's contract to free up cap space for this offseason, while also solidifying Hockenson's place on the team in 2026.
The new deal will save the team more than $5 million in cap space this year. It also "deletes" the final season of the four-year, $66 million extension he signed in 2023. That means Hockenson will become a free agent after the 2026 season.
Hockenson will be 29 when the season begins. Since returning from an ACL tear suffered in Week 16 of 2023, Hockenson has caught 92 passes for 893 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games. Those marks all trail his 2023 season totals of 95 receptions for 960 yards and five scores in 15 games.
This move doesn't mean the Vikings won't try to acquire a young tight end in the upcoming draft, but it does reduce the need to select one. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq remains an option at pick 18, although Hockenson's new deal gives the team flexibility to go after another position without feeling obligated to address an immediate need at tight end.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Offseason: Vikings adjust T.J. Hockenson's contract
Continue reading...
That led to speculation that T.J. Hockenson, set to have a $21 million cap hit, could soon follow in their footsteps.
Instead, the Vikings reworked Hockenson's contract to free up cap space for this offseason, while also solidifying Hockenson's place on the team in 2026.
The new deal will save the team more than $5 million in cap space this year. It also "deletes" the final season of the four-year, $66 million extension he signed in 2023. That means Hockenson will become a free agent after the 2026 season.
Hockenson will be 29 when the season begins. Since returning from an ACL tear suffered in Week 16 of 2023, Hockenson has caught 92 passes for 893 yards and three touchdowns in 25 games. Those marks all trail his 2023 season totals of 95 receptions for 960 yards and five scores in 15 games.
This move doesn't mean the Vikings won't try to acquire a young tight end in the upcoming draft, but it does reduce the need to select one. Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq remains an option at pick 18, although Hockenson's new deal gives the team flexibility to go after another position without feeling obligated to address an immediate need at tight end.
This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: NFL Offseason: Vikings adjust T.J. Hockenson's contract
Continue reading...
