Overpaid Vikings Tight End Open to Pay Cut
We have reached the month of March and that means things are about to get extremely busy for the Minnesota Vikings. With no active general manager in place, the organization’s decision-making microscope moves to longtime exec Rob Brzezinski and 2025 COY Kevin O’Connell.
Highly-paid defensive coordinator Brian Flores will have plenty of input this offseason too. But whatever consequences befall the Vikings as a result of their decisions over the next handful of weeks — good or bad — will lie at the feet of KOC and Rob B.
March 11 represents the official start of free agency, but it will be preceded by the two-day “legal tampering” period, which opens exactly one week from today, on March 9 at 11 a.m. CST.
MN Vikings looking to address TJ Hockenson contract
So this week, the MN Vikings have some difficult financial decisions to make. Actually, the financial jockeying began over the weekend, when the team informed Aaron Jones and Javon Hargrave that, barring a trade materializing, they they will be released.
Notably, one name absent from that cut list was tight end TJ Hockenson, who’s cap number lately has gotten way out ahead of his production on the field. The MN Vikings swung a deal for TJ Hockenson during the 2022 season, after Irv Smith Jr. went down with injury.
Hockenson’s cap hit next season currently sits at $21.29 million, which is scheduled to rank in the top five among NFL tight ends. Releasing the 28-year-old — in the middle of what should be his prime years — would incur a $12.5 million cap penalty — allowing the Vikings to save approximately $8.8 million against the cap in 2026.
TJ Hockenson open to pay cut with Vikings
But it sounds like Minnesota would prefer Option C. Instead of seeking out a trade or casting the former Iowa Hawkeye aside like they plan to do with Jones and Hargrave, the Vikings have made it pretty clear to reporters early this offseason that they’d like to bring TJ Hockenson back, but ONLY if he’s open to a pay cut.
Well, according to Alec Lewis (The Athletic), the 2x Pro Bowler is indeed willing to take less, if it means remaining with the Vikings. Of course, his willingness has limits, and will depend on how much “less” really is.
Don’t expect a big-name free-agent splurge like last year. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the cap, and while that isn’t dire, it is significant.
Minnesota wants to lower the cap number for tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is amenable to lowering it, but the outcome is largely a matter of how low the Vikings want to go.
Alec Lewis – The Athletic
Related: Insiders Confused by Vikings QB Plan… Which Includes Carson Wentz?
TJ Hockenson has missed time in each of his four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, a significant portion of which was thanks to a serious knee injury he suffered at the very end of 2023 season — which was caused by former Lions teammate Kerby Joseph.
Hock’s injury came while he was enjoying a career year (15 games: 95 REC, 960 YDS, 5 TD). He’s never been the same player since. Between 2024-2025, TJ Hockenson played 25 games, compiling just 92 receptions, 893 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings hold the leverage over Hockenson
At the end of the day, the Minnesota Vikings have the leverage over Hockenson, even if his struggles are mostly due to their own QB problems over the past few seasons, as they’ve transitioned from Kirk Cousins to Sam Darnold, then JJ McCarthy.
Given TJ’s cap number, Josh Oliver looks like a pretty good option. He may not be as dynamic of a pass catcher, but he is the best blocking tight end in football and has proven himself more than reliable when targeted in the pass game too, catching 15 passes for 160 yards and a career-high 4 touchdowns in 2025.
Related: New Report Says MN Vikings are Ready to Move on at QB
The Vikings also drafted Gavin Bartholomew was drafted late in last April’s draft and there are plenty of intriguing tight ends available in free agency and the draft. If they really want to swing big, the 18th overall pick could be a perfect spot to land game-changing tight end talent, Kenyon Sadiq (Oregon), in the 2026 draft.
The Oregon Ducks athletic freak put on a show last week at the NFL Combine. He would pair well with Oliver, and considering the veteran’s recent extension, they could work in tandem for some time.
Kenyon Sadiq had one of the best days ever by a TE at the Combine:
— NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2026
40-Yard Dash: 4.39 (best ever by a TE)
Vertical Jump: 43.5’’ (second-best ever by a TE)
Broad Jump: 11’1’’ (third-best ever by a TE)@Accenture | @oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/fxvABmsGrd
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