The Lions are trading tight end T.J. Hockenson to the Vikings ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Minnesota announced. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero first reported that Minnesota will send Detroit a second-round pick in 2023 and a third-round pick in 2024 in return for Hockenson, a fourth-round pick in 2023 and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2024.
Detroit drafted Hockenson with pick No. 8 overall in the 2019 NFL draft, but in 3.5 years with the team, the tight end never reached 1,000 yards receiving in a season. This year, he has just 395 receiving yards and three touchdowns in seven games.
The Vikings, who lead the NFC North with a 6–1 record, add some much needed assistance to their pass offense. Hockenson instantly becomes the team’s third-leading receiver based on his current numbers and overtakes Irv Smith Jr., who has just 168 yards receiving, as the No. 1 tight end.
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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter shortly after the trade was announced, Smith Jr. suffered an ankle and will miss 8–10 weeks.
The Lions picked up Hockenson’s fifth-year option in the offseason, so Minnesota gets the tight end for another year-and-a-half before he hits free agency.
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