T.J. Hockenson agrees to four-year extension with Vikings

The Vikings and star TE T.J. Hockenson have agreed to a new extension, on Thursday morning. The deal is reportedly worth four-years, $68.5 million. Which makes Hockenson the richest tight end in the NFL.

Ian Rapoport was the first to report the news:

The #Vikings and TJ Hockenson have agreed to terms on a big contract extension, as the former #Lions star gets paid with his new team, per me and @TomPelissero. Minnesota traded for Hockenson last season, now lock him in long-term as one of the highest paid TEs. pic.twitter.com/KHVy5Gtd1U

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 31, 2023

T.J. Hockenson has missed some significant time during training camp and the preseason for multiple reasons, including an ear infection and a sore back. Hockenson was previously entering 2023 with one year and $9.39 million (fifth-year option) left on his deal. That is until the two sides reached an extension.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Hockenson’s deal will be worth $68.5 million over four seasons with $42.5 million guaranteed, the most guaranteed money for a tight end in NFL History. His $17.1 million average annual value also tops Darren Waller ($17M AAV), George Kittle ($15M AAV) and Travis Kelce ($14.3M AAV) for the highest AAV for a tight end leaguewide, per Spotrac.

The Vikings traded for Hockenson late last season, ahead of the deadline. Hockenson, 26, blossomed when he arrived in Minneapolis, immediately becoming the second-best pass-catcher behind Justin Jefferson. The 6-foot-5 tight end hauled in 26 catches over his first four games in purple–setting an NFL record by a tight end–for 192 yards and one score. He finished with 60 catches for 519 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games with Minnesota, in addition to 10 catches for 129 yards in the Vikings’ lone playoff game against the New York Giants.

It was paramount that an extension for Hockenson came into fruition ahead of the new season. But now it’s time for Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to solely focus on signing Jefferson long-term as well.

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