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Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson had a spectacular season after being traded to the Minnesota Vikings and since the team gave up a second-round pick to acquire him, a contract extension could be coming soon.
It's not a foregone conclusion that he'll be extended just yet, but we have the latest news on the development.
How did Hockenson play in 2022 and what could his contract be worth? Let's dive in.
T.J. Hockenson 2022 Season Review
In seven games with the Lions, Hockenson caught 26 of his 43 targets for 395 yards and three touchdowns. He was productive for one of the league's best offenses, but that didn't stop Detroit from shipping him to the Vikings right as the trade deadline arrived.
In his first game with Minnesota, the Iowa product hauled in all nine of his targets for 70 yards, foreshadowing the big role he'd play in the Kirk Cousins-led offense. Over 10 games with Minnesota, he caught 60 of his 86 targets for 519 yards and three scores. His yards per reception numbers dropped from 15.2 in Detroit to 8.6 in Minnesota, but he saw plenty of volume and earned a trip to the Pro Bowl.
Hockenson was a top-three tight end during his stint with the Purple and Gold, so he looks to be worth extending in the near future.
What Could Hockenson's Contract Be Worth?
According to Kevin Seifert of ESPN, contract talks between the Vikings and tight end T.J. Hockenson may progress "later this summer," primarily since the club is currently focused on a new deal for wide receiver Justin Jefferson. That said, a deal could get done, but it'll likely take some time.
Spotrac.com projects a market value of a 4-year, $57.7 million contract for Hockenson. This would put his average salary at $14.4 million, which would place him only behind George Kittle ($15 million) and Darren Waller ($17 million). Given the year-over-year increase in pay for most positions, this seems like a reasonable deal for both sides.
In 2023, Hockenson should produce like a top-five tight end, and his market value could increase even more if Minnesota can't get a deal done before the 2023 season begins.
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